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Scientist, Chief Mechanical Engineer (Space Structures) Sign-on bonus (50K max)

L3Harris


Job Location:

Wilmington, DE - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 146000 - 271000
Posted: 2 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 29 September 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Title: Chief Mechanical Engineer Opto-Mechanical and Payload

Job Code: 40246

Job Location: Wilmington MA

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!)

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

Sign-On Bonus: A sign-on bonus of up to $50K may be included as part of an offer package for this level

Job Description:

Jump on this opportunity to take on unique challenges expand your skills and experience and contribute to the Space Systems Sector of L3Harris! You will join a great team of talented professionals with world class technical expertise who take a collaborative approach to engineering and enjoy working together. We are a company on the move growing in the Space area; with long history of innovative and exceptional performance we have earned our place as a trusted provider to our customers.

Our Space Superiority and Imaging Division is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Chief mechanical engineer to oversee and lead design development analysis and manufacturing tasks on complex mechanical hardware including precision space payloads and mechanisms in a program team environment. 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.

In this role the candidate will:

  • Lead the design of high-precision and complex optical mechanical space payload hardware as the program leader overseeing multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPT). Hardware variety spans machined components composite structures deployable mechanisms reflector-shaping support structure cable harness and thermal blankets
  • Provide 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
  • Leverage high reliability flight-proven heritage design concepts in order to produce high quality novel designs within an aggressive timeline
  • Create/modify CAD models using top-down modeling (skeleton) techniques
  • Interface with outside suppliers/customers and other engineering disciplines to drive designs to closure (Structural Thermal Electrical Manufacturing Performance 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.
  • Support program technical and management leadership as required
  • Support and lead technical discussions with customers as required

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree in engineering and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related lieu of a degree minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
  • Position requires the ability to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • Prior or current professional experience leading mechanical engineering in a space structures programs
  • Prior or current experience leading multi-disciplinary mechanical engineering team through system requirements design analysis test hardware build delivery and launch
  • Minimum 10 years developing 3D models of aerospace structures or mechanisms
  • Minimum 10 years developing space borne mechanical structures or mechanisms

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Active TS/SCI clearance is preferred but not required
  • Strong mechanical design skills including 3D CAD modeling in Creo 2D drawing creation and GD&T per ASME Y14.5
  • Familiarity with engineering analysis such as FEA composite design and development of spaceborne hardware including structures mechanisms and electronics packaging
  • Experience leading engineering efforts from concept through detailed design including design reviews team leadership and mentoring junior engineers
  • Experience building and testing high-reliability hardware working with technicians and machinists and designing for manufacturability
  • Knowledge of quality and manufacturing practices including RCCA FMEA MRB rework/repair planning ISO 9000/AS9100 Lean 5S and Six Sigma
  • Understanding of project and product lifecycle tools including budgeting scheduling risk management PDM software configuration management and Microsoft Office tools

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 $146000.00 - $271000.00. 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.


Required Experience:

Chief


About Company

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At L3Harris, we anticipate and mitigate risk with agile end-to-end solutions that meet our customers' mission-critical needs across all domains.

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