Manager, Mechanical Hardware Design (Space Optical Systems)

L3Harris Technologies; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Fort Wayne, IN is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a team of hardware designers focused on space optical systems. You will guide mechanical architecture and design of systems supporting weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and national defense.

The role manages 15–18 direct reports, oversees design reviews, schedules, and risk mitigation, and collaborates with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and product teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience.
• 5+ years professional experience with CAD tools (Creo, SolidWorks, etc.).
• Prior or current experience leading technical team execution (managing cost and schedule performance)

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering

Graduate Degree in Engineering

In lieu of a degree, 13 years of related experience

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

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: Manager, Mechanical Hardware Design (Space Optical Systems)

Job Code: 44562

Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN

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

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

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 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.