Manager, Mechanical Hardware Design (Space Optical Systems)
About the role
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
We are seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a team of hardware designers developing cutting-edge mechanical solutions for space-based missions. In this role, you’ll guide the mechanical architecture and design of systems that directly support commercial weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and national defense applications. Our technical managers would typically have a group of 15-18 direct reports and would be responsible for both functional management and technical design and execution.
If you’re energized by developing innovative hardware and contributing to mission-critical systems, this role offers both deep technical challenge and meaningful impact.
Essential Functions
- Lead, mentor, and develop HW/mechanical designers, ensuring strong execution and career growth.
- Own mechanical architecture for new and existing products.
- Drive design reviews, enforce best practices, and ensure high-quality CAD and documentation.
- Collaborate closely with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and product teams.
- Oversee schedule commitments, risk mitigation, and resource planning.
- Ensure DFM, DFA, and reliability considerations are integrated throughout the design process.
- Coordinate with suppliers and oversee prototype builds and validation.
- Able to obtain a US security clearance
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
- 5+ years professional experience with CAD tools (Creo, SolidWorks, etc.).
- Prior or current professional experience leading technical team execution (managing cost and schedule performance)
Preferred Additional Skills
- Active US security clearance is preferred
- Background in aerospace/space design, development, and integration
- Experience with collaboration with cross-functional teams
- Experience managing teams of designers or engineers.
- Clear communication and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
- Successful delivery of hardware or mechanical designs into production.
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 race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.
Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish . For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish .
Copied from the listing L3Harris published, verified 31 Oct 2026.
About L3Harris
Satellites, space sensors and rocket engines, inside a defense and aerospace prime.
Similar open roles

Security Officer (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Supply Chain · Greater Seattle Area· 2w agoDetails
$21.03–$29.44/hr
Vehicle Software Engineer - Summer Internship 2027 (opens the job details)
Inversion Space · Flight Software · Playa Vista, California, United States· 1w agoDetails

Manager, Information Security Management (opens the job details)
SES · Software & IT · Bucharest, Romania· 1d agoDetails

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2027 (opens the job details)
Lockheed Martin · Software & IT · Sunnyvale, CA, United States· 4d agoDetails
$25.18–$35.19/hr
Dream Chaser Flight Controller (Systems Engineer II) (opens the job details)
Sierra Space · Launch & Ops · Louisville, CO, United States· 4mo agoDetails
$94,090–$129,394.75/yr
Experienced in Mechanical, Structures & Thermal?
Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.
L3Harris openings, sent to your inbox
Each week we send what L3Harris posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.
Hiring for L3Harris? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.