Scientist, Mechanical Engineer

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Scientist, Mechanical Engineer to lead precision mechanism design for mission systems. The role spans concepts through integration and test, with ownership of major components and collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and test teams.

On-site work is at Palm Bay, Chantilly, or Carlsbad. Required are a bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience or graduate degree with substantial seniority, plus active TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; graduate degree preferred.
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance required (recent within 2 years).
• Hands‑on hardware design, integration, and test experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, analysis, prototype integration, and qualification testing.
• Develop 3D models, drawings, and assembly documentation.
• Plan and execute component and system‑level tests and drive design improvements.
• Present designs at reviews and coordinate with cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Hands-on experience

3D CAD

GD&T

On-site work

Education

Bachelor's Degree

12+ years experience

Top Secret clearance

Tools

Creo

ASME Y14.5

Job description

Job Title: Scientist, Mechanical Engineer

Job Code: 45278

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL; Carlsbad, CA; Chantilly, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off

Job Description

During its 120-year history, L3Harris has transformed communications and information technology. L3Harris is a proven leader in tactical communications, geospatial systems and services, air traffic management, environmental solutions, avionics and electronic warfare, and space and intelligence. From ocean to orbit and everywhere in between, we provide mission‑critical solutions to connect, inform and protect the world.

On the L3Harris team, your job is to secure the world. We don’t work here just for the advanced technology and equipment: we work here because we know what – and who – we’re protecting! From families to the intelligence community, and from our climate to our men and women in uniform – we’re making the world a safer place!

Design and qualify the precision mechanisms behind mission systems used in complex, high‑consequence environments. You’ll own major components and sub‑systems from early concepts through integration and test, helping L3Harris deliver dependable capability for customers executing their most challenging missions.

This is an on‑site role because the work includes direct lab, prototype, integration, and hardware‑test activity at one of the following sites: Palm Bay, Florida; Chantilly, Virginia; or Carlsbad, California.

Essential Functions

• Lead mechanical design, analysis, prototype integration, and qualification testing for precision mechanisms and electro‑mechanical hardware.
• Develop 3D models, drawings, technical data packages, and assembly documentation.
• Evaluate material selections and design trades; improve designs for performance, size, weight, power, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Plan and execute component and system‑level tests; analyze results and drive design improvements.
• Present designs and results at internal and customer reviews, including peer reviews, PDRs, and CDRs.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, configuration management, suppliers, technicians, and the program test team to transition designs into production.
• Support field‑test or demonstration activities as needed.
• Recognized as an internal expert and thought leader in area of expertise with broad experience across multiple job areas. Works under consultative direction against annual goals to manage large, complex project initiatives of strategic importance to the organization. Communicates within and outside of the organization to influence leadership to accept new practices, approaches, and concepts. Develops or champions new systems, concepts, or technologies. Recommends tactics and strategies that directly impact the achievement of overall business or functional results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree 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.
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance is required. (Active within the last two years will be considered)

Preferred Additional Skills

• Hands‑on experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing complex mechanical hardware.
• Experience with 3D mechanical CAD, engineering drawings, and tolerance analysis/GD&T.
• Ability to work on‑site in a mis of office and laboratory environments.
• Experience in design or development of precision mechanisms, mechatronic systems, and/or packaging of modules and electronics with considerations of thermal and structural loading and for optimizations of size, weight, and power.
• Proficiency in CAD tools such as Creo and understanding of ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standards.
• Experience in additive manufacturing, part optimization, and design for manufacture and assembly a plus.
• Experience with any of the following: actuators, custom gear trains, electro‑optical systems, materials testing, and manufacturing processes.
• Favorable polygraph.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California and Virgina is $146,000 - $208,500. 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.

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