Sr Specialist, Thermal Analyst Mechanical Engineer (Space Systems)
The posting names a TS/SCI clearance.
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
L3Harris has an opportunity for a highly skilled Thermal Analyst to join our talented engineering organization. The Thermal Analyst will be a technical leader across multidisciplinary teams of engineers to create the best overall system design including thermal design, analysis, and test of optical systems operating in harsh space and ground environments. The candidate will possess in-depth understanding of aerospace thermal engineering technology and payload architecture for spacecraft sub-systems and instruments. These talents are used in conductive, convective, and radiative analyses, understanding of heat pipes, radiative heat transfer, and thermal control hardware design (thermal blankets, surface treatments, heater tapes, thermistors) and the interaction with optical structures in order to minimize optical errors, and achieve operational temperatures. The role requires utilizing state of the art custom software in conjunction with Thermal Desktop and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) packages and often mentor other Thermal Analysts in the use of such tools.
Essential Functions
- System level thermal design & development, payload level integration and test, and risk mitigation for space-based environments
- Performs thermal design and analysis tasks on complex space-based mechanical hardware including structural components, mechanisms, and electronics packaging
- Create and analyze design concepts using thermal analysis software & FEA.
- Defines and establishes the technical approach to meet assigned objective.
- Program support which includes requirements derivation and verification, system architecture development, loads derivation, trade studies, design sensitivity/optimization studies, preliminary and final design analysis, generation of analysis documentation (including presentation materials, and deliverable data packages), and leading system test activities
- Prepares reports, formal documentation and presentation materials summarizing analysis results and present results to both external and internal groups, including leadership and customers.
- Participates in and present information for Preliminary Design reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR) and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM).
- Interfaces with outside suppliers/customers and other engineering disciplines to drive designs to closure (Structural, Systems Engineering, Electrical, Manufacturing, Performance, Quality, Configuration Management).
- Development of thermal test plans to manufacture and test payload sensor systems
- Support new business opportunities
- Work multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to changing situations
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering or science field with 6 years of experience, or a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering or science field with 4 years of experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
- 3+ years of professional experience using thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop (required) and other tools such as FloTHERM.
- 3+ years of professional experience leading a multidisciplinary mechanical engineering team through system requirements, design, analysis, testing, hardware build, delivery, and launch.
- Professional experience performing thermal analysis of mechanical and electronic systems in space environments
Preferred Additional Skills
- Experience supporting programs through requirements derivation and verification, system and component architecture development, design sensitivity and optimization studies, preliminary and final design analyses, report generation, and leading test activities.
- Experience preparing reports, formal documentation, and presentation materials that summarize analysis results for both internal and external audiences, including leadership and customers.
- Experience working with outside suppliers, customers, and cross-functional engineering teams, including Structural, Systems, Electrical, Manufacturing, Performance, Quality, and Configuration Management.
- Thermal test experience, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Thermal Cycle testing, with involvement in test design, procedure development, test analysis, onsite test support, and thermal model correlation.
#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 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 30 Oct 2026.
About L3Harris
Satellites, space sensors and rocket engines, inside a defense and aerospace prime.
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