Skip to content

Mechanical

Scientist, Mechanical Engineer (Space Mechanisms) : Sign-on bonus ($50K max)

L3Harris logoL3Harris~$106k–$189k/yrtypicalWilmington, MA, United StatesFull-timePosted 2mo ago
  • $50,000 sign-on bonus
  • TS/SCI clearance

About the job

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success.

Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do. L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech.

With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. ## Job Description L3Harris is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic senior Mechanical Engineer to support customer-funded programs and internal research efforts within our Space, Superiority and Imaging Division.

Our Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance solutions serve a broad array of government, civil, and commercial customers by enhancing information superiority, contributing to our national security and providing actionable data for the protection of property and human life.

We specialize in high-reliability airborne and space-based remote sensing payloads that offer active and motion imaging and data processing, exploitation and dissemination. We also provide solutions that map and monitor the earth for a variety of commercial and governmental users.

Mechanical Engineer to perform design, development, analysis, and manufacturing tasks on complex mechanical hardware including precision space structures and mechanisms in a program team environment.

Program support and technical leadership over requirements definition, concept generation, material and finish selection, trade studies, design sensitivity/optimization studies, preliminary and detailed design, design sensitivity and tolerance analysis, design documentation, Bill of Materials (BOM) management, and assembly/integration and testing.

Candidate must be in an expert in 3D modeling, design for manufacturing and ability to work independently or within a multi-disciplined team environment. ## In this role the candidate will - Design high-precision and complex space opto-mechanical telescopes hardware as part of an Integrated Product Team (IPT).

Hardware variety spans machined components, composite structures, deployable mechanisms, opto-mechanical support structure, bearings, capital tooling and fixturing, launch mechanisms - Leverage high reliability, flight-proven, heritage design concepts in order to produce high quality designs within an aggressive timeline - Lead and participate in technical team reviews and technical review boards - Interface with outside suppliers/customers and other engineering disciplines to drive designs to closure (Structural, Thermal, Electrical, Manufacturing, Integration and Testing, Quality, Configuration Management). - Present design details at program reviews to customers and independent reviewers. - Develop and perform testing to show proof-of-concept and/or qualification of new designs. - Support production operations with design of tooling, test equipment, and shop aids. - Provide regular status updates to Program Management and Project Engineers on cost and schedule performance. ## Essential Functions - Establish and manage performance and error budgets for mechanism designs - Perform mechanism sizing and torque margin calculations using applicable standards such as AIAA S-114A-2020 and/or NASA-STD-5017 - Design launch lock and restraint systems, including low-shock and FOD-conscious solutions - Select lubricants and materials appropriate for spaceflight and contamination-sensitive optical environments - Design hardware for vacuum, thermal extremes, cleanliness, and high reliability - Create and maintain engineering documentation including models, drawings, BOMs, analyses, test plans, and reports - Support root cause investigations, nonconformance resolution, and corrective action activities when needed - Able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Control Systems, or related disciplines from an ABET-accredited program and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience.

Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.

In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience. - 7+ years in CAD modeling and design tools - Prior or current experience with spaceflight mechanism applications - 5+ years of professional experience leading a multi-disciplinary mechanical engineering team through system requirements, design, analysis, test, hardware build, delivery and launch - Professional experience with analysis methods (FEA and hand-calculations) is required ## Preferred Additional Skills - Strong proficiency in design and 3D modeling of solids, surfaces, and assemblies (Creo, NX, Catia, Solidworks, Autodesk Inventor) - Proficiency in analysis FEA tools such as FEMAP, MSC Nastran, and/or ANSYS - Experience with Halpin Engineering’s Orbis for bearing analysis - Experience with MATLAB for analysis automation and data processing - Proficiency in tolerance stack-up analysis for mechanical designs as well as GD&T. - Experience in design of space-based mechanical structures, mechanisms, and electronics packaging along with engineering drawing development. - Experience building hardware in a high reliability environment, working with technicians - Experience interfacing with machinist and designing parts for ease of manufacturing processes - Strong familiarity with component level, sub-assembly level, and assembly level product testing. - Proficiency with root cause corrective action (RCCA) tools (e.g.

5 why, fishbone) - Proficiency with risk management and mitigation tools such as Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) - Experience serving on a Material Review Board (MRB) – evaluate and disposition non-conforming hardware.

Development of rework and structural repair procedures. - Experience in leading engineering teams from conceptual through detailed design phases - Proficiency working with a product data management (PDM) software, and familiarity with configuration management best practices - Familiarity with ISO 9000/AS-9100 Quality Management Systems and Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma fundamentals. - Proficiency with fundamentals of project management (e.g. budget, schedule, technical execution, risk management).

Strong proficiency in MS project scheduling. - Training and mentoring of new hires and junior engineering staff members. In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C. area, Denver, or NYC areas is $146,000.00 - $271,000.00.

The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, Vermont and Virginia is $126,500.00 - $235,500.00 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. #LI-RK1 L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination.

All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to r

From L3Harris's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

Selected agencies hiring now

These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.

Sponsored

Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.

Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.

New mechanical, structures and thermal engineering jobs in space in Massachusetts, by email

One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.

About L3Harris

Satellites, space sensors and rocket engines, inside a defense and aerospace prime.

Pay on its listings: 41.4% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on L3Harris's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

More open jobs at L3Harris

More mechanical, structures and thermal engineering jobs in space

A mechanical, structures or thermal engineer?

One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.

Create my profile

L3Harris openings, sent to you weekly

Each week we send the newest postings from L3Harris's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.