L3Harris is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer of AI Platforms to support the Space and Mission Systems (SMS) segment AI organization. This role will build, deploy, and maintain the secure Linux, container, and cloud infrastructure supporting AI-enabled applications across approved enterprise and government environments. The successful candidate will bring hands-on platform engineering experience, with an emphasis on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), containerized applications, and cloud deployment. AWS GovCloud experience is strongly preferred; comparable Azure Government experience is also valued. Working alongside AI application developers and cybersecurity personnel, this engineer will automate deployments, maintain secure configurations, resolve vulnerabilities, and support system assessment and authorization activities.
Essential Functions
Deploy, operate, and troubleshoot containerized AI applications and supporting services in approved cloud and on-premises environments
Administer RHEL-based systems, including patching, access controls, configuration management, monitoring, and system hardening
Build and maintain container images using Podman or Docker; manage artifacts and registries; support vulnerability scanning, SBOM generation, and remediation
Automate infrastructure configuration and application deployment using scripting, Git-based workflows, and CI/CD pipelines
Apply applicable DISA STIG requirements and work with cybersecurity personnel to document configurations, address findings, and support government assessment, authorization, and ATO sustainment activities
Integrate and maintain approved AI services, including model-serving and retrieval components, in collaboration with application and data teams
Maintain deployment procedures, operational documentation, and technical records using tools such as Jira and Confluence
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field and a minimum of 6 years of prior relevant experience; Or, Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience
Hands-on experience administering RHEL or closely related enterprise Linux environments
Experience building, deploying, and maintaining containerized applications using Podman or Docker
Programming or scripting proficiency, with Python preferred, and experience automating deployment or operational tasks
Hands-on experience deploying or operating workloads in AWS, Azure, or a comparable cloud environment
Experience with Git-based workflows and CI/CD pipelines
Working knowledge of system hardening, patching, vulnerability remediation, and configuration management; familiarity with DISA STIGs
Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance required
Preferred Additional Skills
Hands-on experience with AWS GovCloud (US), Azure Government, or comparable government cloud environments
Experience supporting DCSA-authorized classified systems or other government-authorized environments, including RMF, security assessments, and ATO sustainment
Experience with Red Hat OpenShift, Kubernetes, infrastructure automation, or configuration-as-code practices
Experience with container registries and artifact repositories such as JFrog Artifactory
Experience deploying or integrating LLMs, local model-serving infrastructure, RAG components, or other AI-enabled applications
Experience delivering software or infrastructure in defense, aerospace, or other regulated, mission-critical environments
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $109,500 - $203,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
