Senior Associate, Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Carlsbad, CA is seeking a Senior Associate, Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms) to lead the design, development, and qualification of precision hardware, including mechanisms and electro-mechanical systems. The role emphasizes ownership of system-level tasks, CAD, and lab work in a collaborative team.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of related experience (or graduate degree) and are prepared for a dynamic environment requiring independent work,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 2 years of related experience, or graduate degree with 0–2 years experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 6 years related experience.

Responsibilities

• Owns tasking with limited supervision on high-consequence program activities.
• Provide regular briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Create Technical Data Package components ( drawings, etc.).
• Prototype, integrate, and test components and assemblies.
• Develop test plans for mechanical subsystems.
• Perform tests and evaluations of components and systems.
• Participate in design reviews and product change discussions.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D modeling

Technical leadership

Requirements analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Graduate degree advantageous

Tools

Creo CAD

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: Senior Associate, Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms) (Sign-On Bonus Available)
Job Code: 44324
Job Location: Carlsbad, CA
Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

We are seeking a driven and resourceful Mechanical Engineer to join a dynamic program team focused on the design, development, and qualification of complex mechanical hardware, including precision mechanisms and electro-mechanical systems. In this role, you will take ownership of significant system-level responsibilities while remaining adaptable as program needs evolve.

You will provide both technical leadership and program support across the full product development lifecycle, including requirements definition, concept generation, material selection, trade studies, design sensitivity and optimization studies, preliminary and final design, design documentation, and hardware assembly, integration, and testing.

The ideal candidate will bring hands‑on experience in 3D modeling and the design and development of critical hardware, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment. A willingness to work in a lab setting and engage directly with hardware is essential.

Essential Functions:

• Ability and desire to take full ownership of tasking while working with limited supervision in a variety of high consequence program activities.
• Provide regular communication and briefings, both formally and informally, to internal and external stakeholders, including customer representatives.
• Generation of Technical Data Package components (Part and Assembly drawings, etc.)
• Prototype, Integrate, and Test component parts and assemblies.
• Develop test plans and procedures for mechanical subsystems.
• Perform test and evaluation of component parts and systems.
• Participate in peer reviews, PDRs, CDRs, and other required design reviews.
• Participate in product change review meetings and discussions and implement changes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary design teams and reviews.
• Able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Adhere to company processes for product development, configuration management, purchasing, etc.
• Direct Designers/ Technicians/Operators as part of a design team.
• Support field testing/demonstration efforts as an ME field representative.
• Ability to obtain and maintain active Top Secret/SCI w Poly clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree or equivalent with 0 to 2 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 6 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Active TS/SCI w Poly clearance.
• Comfortable collecting technical concepts and presenting them to program leadership.
• 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.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $76,500 - $141,500. 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.

#LI-FS1

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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