Lead, Thermal Mechanical Engineer (Space Systems)

Company: L3Harris Technologies
Location: Wilmington
Posted on: March 10, 2026

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: Lead, Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Analyst Job Code: 33517 Job Location: Wilmington, MA Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!) Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants Job Description: L3Harris has an opportunity for a highly skilled Thermal Analyst to join our talented engineering organization. The Thermal Analyst will be a technical leader across multidisciplinary teams of engineers to create the best overall system design including thermal design, analysis, and test of optical systems operating in harsh space and ground environments. The candidate will possess in-depth understanding of aerospace thermal engineering technology and payload architectures for spacecraft sub-systems and instruments. These talents are used to direct and oversee teams who specialize in conductive, convective, and radiative analyses, understanding of heat pipes, radiative heat transfer, and thermal control hardware design (thermal blankets, surface treatments, heater tapes, thermistors) and the interaction with optical structures in order to minimize optical errors, and achieve operational temperatures. The role requires utilizing state of the art custom software in conjunction with Thermal Desktop and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) packages and often mentor other Thermal Analysts in the use of such tools. Essential Functions: System level thermal design & development, payload level integration and test, and risk mitigation for space-based environments Perform thermal design and analysis tasks on complex mechanical hardware including precision mechanisms, electro-mechanical devices, aerospace mechanism design, complex electronics packaging, supporting space-based deployable mechanisms, avionics, innovative thermal and ground based systems Create and analyze design concepts using thermal analysis software & FEA Defines and establishes the technical approach to meet assigned objective Directs, coordinates and provides assistance to engineering team in order to meet assigned objectives Program support also includes requirements derivation and verification, system architecture development, loads derivation, trade studies, design sensitivity/optimization studies, preliminary and final design analysis, generation of analysis documentation (including presentation materials, and deliverable data packages), and leading system test activities Organization of thermal design and analysis as an IPT lead; frequently interfacing directly with customer technical leads and management. Prepares reports, formal documentation and presentation materials summarizing analysis results and present results to both external and internal groups, including leadership and customers Participates in and present information for Preliminary Design reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR) and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM) Interfaces with outside suppliers/customers and other engineering disciplines to drive designs to closure (Structural, Systems Engineering, Electrical, Manufacturing, Performance, Quality, Configuration Management) Presents design details at program reviews to customers and independent reviewers Development of thermal test plans to manufacture and test payload sensor systems Support new business opportunities Mentor junior level engineers Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience 7 years of professional experience using thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop (preferred), Sinda, Flotherm, Icepak, etc. 4 years of providing technical leadership to a multi-disciplinary mechanical engineering team through system requirements, design, analysis, test, hardware build, delivery and launch Professional experience with thermal analysis of mechanical and electronic systems, in space, air or ground environments Professional experience with thermal vacuum testing Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI Security Clearance Preferred Additional Skills: Experience with finite element analysis software Able to support design decisions with well documented engineering analyses and calculations Able to analyze problems and to focus and drive down to the root cause of problems quickly Experience in leading engineering teams from conceptual through detailed design phases Experience as a lead engineer, project engineer, or IPT lead is a plus. Experience with Microsoft office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) Active TS/SCI clearance 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 $122,000.00 - $227,000.00 . 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. L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

Keywords: L3Harris Technologies, Newton , Lead, Thermal Mechanical Engineer (Space Systems), Engineering , Wilmington, Massachusetts