Scientist, Mechanical Engineer (Space Mechanisms)

Company: L3Harris Technologies
Location: Wilmington
Posted on: March 10, 2026

Job Description:

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 Title: Scientist, Mechanical Engineer - Mechanisms Job Code: 32641 Job Location: Wilmington, MA Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!) Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants 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: Responsible for establishing key performance error budgets. Able to identify and select mechanism components like ball bearings, motors (servo, stepper, limited-angle torque, solenoids, and voice coils), position sensors (encoders, resolvers, LVDTs, Hall effect), and springs Adept at calculating torque margin per AIAA S-114A-2020 and/or NASA-STD-5017 Able to design launch lock solutions for mechanisms, particularly for low shock and FOD containment Comfortable selecting lubricants for spaceflight applications near sensitive optics Able to design for vacuum environments over broad temperature ranges while maintaining cleanroom cleanliness Uses proven, reliable design concepts to create high-quality, new designs in aggressive timelines. Defines and establishes the technical approach to meet assigned objective. Directs, coordinates and provides assistance to engineering team in order to meet assigned objectives. Prepares reports, formal documentation and presentation materials summarizing analysis results and present results to both external and internal groups, including leadership and customers including Preliminary Design reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR) and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM). Establish educational and training goals for area of expertise and ensure those goals are achieved 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. Able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance 8 years in CAD modeling and design tools Prior or current experience with spaceflight mechanism applications, especially related to optical systems 7 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. Possess an understanding of the abilities and constraints of control/drive electronics and control law implementation, including utilization of inertial measurements 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. Proficiency working with a product data manager (PDM) software, and familiarity with configuration 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, Denver, or NYC areas is $146,000.00 - $271,000.00. 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. 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.

Keywords: L3Harris Technologies, Quincy , Scientist, Mechanical Engineer (Space Mechanisms), Engineering , Wilmington, Massachusetts