Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Clifton (NJ); On-site; USD 102,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. in Clifton, NJ is seeking a Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer to own the space-grade electronic packaging tasks across the full product lifecycle, from requirements through design and test for high-rel spaceflight electronics.

The role emphasizes 3D CAD modeling, thermal and structural analyses, EMI shielding, and close collaboration with Electrical, Radiation, and Manufacturing teams to ensure mission success within SWaP constraints.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 6+ years relevant experience; or Graduate Degree with 4+ years; or 10 years' experience in lieu of degree.
• Experience in space-grade packaging, high-reliability electronics, and flight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Own space-grade electronic packaging tasks across program lifecycle.
• Provide clear technical updates to leadership and customers.
• Generate complete Technical Data Packages (TDPs) and flight assembly drawings.
• Support prototyping, cleanroom integration, and testing of enclosures and thermal management components.
• Execute space environment tests (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC) per standards.
• Collaborate with Electrical, Radiation, and Manufacturing engineers on layout and shielding.

Skills

Space-grade packaging

3D CAD modeling

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

EMI/EMC shielding

PDR/CDR prep

Cross-functional liaison

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate Degree

10+ years in lieu of degree

Tools

Creo Parametric

SolariaPCB

Ansys Mechanical

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 Specialist, Mechanical Engineer

Job Code: 46014

Job Location: Clifton, NJ

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 motivated, driven, and analytically minded Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer to join a dynamic program team focused on the mechanical architecture, design, development, and qualification of high-reliability spaceflight electronics. This role centers on complex subsystems including spaceborne avionics, satellite RF modules, power distribution units, and radiation-shielded microelectronics. The ideal candidate will take ownership of flight-qualified electronic enclosures, ensuring total mission success and survivability against extreme launch vehicle vibration/pyroshock, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and hardware thermal constraints.

Key responsibilities include technical execution across the full product lifecycle, encompassing requirements definition, electrical-mechanical space trade studies, radiation-mitigation packaging, material selection (vacuum compatibility/outgassing), design documentation, and rigorous space environments testing. The successful candidate will bring strong hands-on experience in 3D CAD modeling, high-density space-grade PCBA packaging, and the capability to perform highly focused Electronic Packaging (EP) thermal and structural simulations to validate ruggedized hardware. A willingness to work in a laboratory or factory floor environment, interface with manufacturing engineers, and engage directly with spaceflight hardware is essential.

Essential Functions:

• Task Ownership: Ability and desire to take full ownership of space-grade electronic packaging tasking while working with general supervision across a variety of high-consequence, mission-critical program activities.
• Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear communication and technical updates, both formally and informally, to internal program leadership, engineering teams, and external aerospace customers or agency representatives (e.g., NASA, Space Force).
• Technical Data Packages: Generation of complete Technical Data Package (TDP) components, including detailed part drawings, space-grade PCBA mechanical outlines, tolerance stack-ups, and flight assembly drawings.
• Prototyping & Cleanroom Integration: Support prototyping, cleanroom integration, and testing of flight-qualified electronic enclosures, internal wire/harness networks, and advanced thermal management components.
• Space Environments Testing: Support and execute rigorous environment test plans for space subsystems (e.g., Thermal Vacuum (TVAC), random vibration, pyroshock, and EMI/EMC shielding compliance to space-industry standards).
• Hardware Evaluation: Perform laboratory testing, diagnostic data collection, and flight-readiness evaluation of component parts, flight connectors, and integrated systems.
• Design Milestones: Participate in and prepare technical materials for peer reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR).
• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Coordinate tightly with Electrical, Radiation, and Manufacturing Engineers on component placement, keep-out zones, radiation shielding thickness, component thermal dissipation paths, and signal integrity constraints.
• Team Collaboration: Provide technical guidance to Designers, Cleanroom Technicians, and Operators as part of a flight hardware design and assembly team.
• Active US Secret Security clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• EP Thermal Analysis: Experience performing steady-state and transient electronic component and board-level thermal modeling (conduction paths through multi-layer boards, thermal via dissipation, and component junction temperature predictions).
• Structural & Dynamics Analysis: Capability to perform linear structural, high-g random vibration, and acoustic/pyroshock analysis using finite element models to ensure physical reliability during harsh rocket launch conditions.
• Simulation Infrastructure: Hands-on experience or working familiarity with CAD-integrated or specialized electronic packaging solvers, specifically Creo Simulate, Solaria / SolariaPCB, or Ansys Mechanical.
• Aerospace Electronics Manufacturing: Practical experience or strong technical knowledge of high-reliability manufacturing assembly lines. This includes Surface Mount Technology (SMT) reflow ovens, automated optical inspection, hand-soldering criteria, and strict adherence to space-grade soldering standards.
• J-STD & IPC Standards: Strong understanding or application knowledge of IPC-A-610 Class 3 and IPC/EIA J-STD-001 (including the J-STD-001 Space Addendum) requirements for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies.
• MIL-STD-810 Understanding: Familiarity and working understanding of MIL-STD-810 environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests (specifically tailored for temperature, shock, vibration, acceleration, and low pressure/vacuum simulation).
• Process Metallurgy & Chemistry: Understanding the manufacturing nuances of electronic materials, such as solder joint fatigue validation (due to thermal cycling/vibration stress), underfill/staking applications, and conformal coating/potting processing to mitigate tin whiskers and withstand vacuum outgassing.
• Space Subsystem Architecture: Experience in the design, development, and packaging of space-qualified modules, power supplies, RF assemblies, and high-density PCBAs using space-grade components (EEE parts).
• SWaP-C Optimization: Proven track record of designing space enclosures heavily restricted by Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) constraints.
• Space Materials Knowledge: Deep understanding of space-compatible material choices, focusing on low-outgassing requirements (per NASA SP-R-0022A / ASTM E595), thermal interface materials (TIMs), and galvanic corrosion prevention.
• CAD & Tolerancing: High proficiency in CAD tools such as Creo Parametric and an expert working understanding of ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards.
• Specialized Space Integration: Experience with flight connector selection, ruggedized space-grade cable harness design, EMI/EMC shielding techniques, and venting designs for decompression.
• Manufacturing Frameworks: Applied Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, and Test (DFM/DFMA/DFMT) experience regarding high-reliability, zero-defect spaceflight electronics.
• Material Fabrication: Knowledge of machined chassis design, sheet metal enclosures, and additive manufacturing technologies validated for space environments.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Clifton is $102,000.00 - $189,000.00. 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.