Mechanical Engineer (Manufacturing Tooling)

L3Harris • Palm Bay, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is not your typical engineering desk job; we are looking for someone who wants to get their hands dirty. If you are the type who spends weekends on automotive projects, welding/metal fabrication, machining, woodworking, robotics, etc., this is the job for you! We value engineers who love creating with both their minds and their hands. The role involves designing innovative custom tooling and fixtures that enable successful manufacture, assembly, inspection, testing, transportation, and protection of aerospace and defense products. You will be responsible for developing custom tooling solutions for Electronics Manufacturing, Environmental Test, Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE), shipping containers, space antennas, and satellite systems while ensuring compliance with customer requirements, contractual specifications, and industry standards. You will lead engineering investigations and develop new or improved tooling concepts that optimize manufacturability, quality, repeatability, safety, and production efficiency. Key design factors to evaluate include material selection, structural integrity, equipment capabilities, ergonomics, interchangeability, maintainability, schedule, and cost to deliver robust, reliable, and cost-effective tooling solutions. You will utilize CAD software (PTC Creo) to create detailed 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, layouts, BOMs, and technical documentation. Ensuring all custom tooling designs and engineering documentation are complete, accurate, verified, and released in accordance with configuration management processes is crucial. Developing rapid prototypes through the department’s Additive Manufacturing Lab to evaluate form, fit, and function will enable early design validation and accelerated development. You will partner closely with the department’s machine shop to transition tooling designs into fabricated hardware, assisting with tool assembly and providing technical guidance throughout the manufacturing process. Close collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Product Design Engineering, and program teams is expected to troubleshoot issues, implement design improvements, and successfully transition tooling to the manufacturing floor. Hands-on support through the complete tooling lifecycle by assembling, integrating, and validating tooling and fixtures is required. Maintaining close engagement with manufacturing personnel after deployment to support continuous improvement, resolve production challenges, and optimize tooling performance is essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience; Or, Graduate Degree or equivalent with 0 to 2 years of prior related experience; Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 6 years of prior related experience
• Minimum of 1 year of prior relevant work experience supporting a manufacturing environment
• Experience with CAD software: PTC Creo (preferred), Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Autodesk Inventor, etc.
• Intermediate experience in drawing creation, release, and revision skills using a Product Data Management system
• Intermediate understanding and application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Intermediate knowledge of materials: aluminum, stainless steels, plastics, and additive manufacturing materials
• Intermediate knowledge of fasteners and mechanical hardware
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Nice To Haves

• Experience with PTC Creo 8.0 (6.0 or higher) and Windchill (11.0 preferred)
• Knowledge of industry and military drafting standards and practices, specifically ASME Y14.5‑2018 and ASME Y14.100
• Previous manufacturing and machining experience
• Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFMA) experience
• Experience coordinating or performing hardware installation, tooling assembly, fit checks, verification
• Experience coordinating or supporting the procurement of tools and hardware
• Knowledge of mechanical shop operations and technology including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, plating processes, and painting
• Experience with additive manufacturing/rapid prototyping techniques and equipment: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D printing, etc.
• Applies meticulous attention to detail to design, analysis, and documentation
• Possesses a high level of initiative and willingness to learn
• Strong sense of responsibility, ownership, and follow-through
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to multitask, work with team members, and independently research design solutions

Responsibilities

• Design and development of parts, custom tooling, and fixtures to support various manufacturing processes at L3Harris
• Generate innovative designs by working with internal program groups, research and development teams, and other areas of Engineering and Operations, where products are designed for use in space, aerospace, and ground applications
• Frequent communication required with both external suppliers and internal customers
• Conduct meetings and peer design reviews with program and team members
• Ensure the design is documented and meets all requirements by creating, reviewing, and approving: Material selection, CAD parts and assemblies, detailed drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), drawing release, part fabrication, part inspection, integration & proof loading, and verification of product performance on the manufacturing floor

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level