Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer (Thermal Analyst)
About The Position
L3Harris is seeking a highly skilled Thermal Analyst to provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams and develop overall system designs for optical systems operating in harsh space and ground environments. The role focuses on thermal design, analysis, and testing, drawing on aerospace thermal engineering and spacecraft payload architecture expertise. Work includes conductive, convective, and radiative analyses; heat pipes and radiative heat transfer; thermal-control hardware such as blankets, surface treatments, heater tapes, and thermistors; and interactions with optical structures to minimize optical errors and achieve operational temperatures. The analyst uses custom software, Thermal Desktop, and finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and may mentor other Thermal Analysts in their use. Based in Palm Bay, Florida, this position supports system-level thermal design and development, payload integration and test, and risk mitigation for space-based environments. It includes analysis of complex mechanical hardware, requirements and architecture development, design studies, documentation, test planning and leadership, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The work also supports new business opportunities and requires adaptability in a fast-paced environment. The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering or science field and 6 years of experience; or a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering or science field and 4 years of experience. In lieu of a degree, at least 10 years of prior related experience.
- At least 3 years of professional experience using thermal analysis tools, including required experience with Thermal Desktop; other tools such as FloTHERM are also noted.
- At least 3 years of professional experience leading a multidisciplinary mechanical engineering team through system requirements, design, analysis, testing, hardware build, delivery, and launch.
- Professional experience performing thermal analysis of mechanical and electronic systems in space environments.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting programs through requirements derivation and verification, system and component architecture development, design sensitivity and optimization studies, preliminary and final design analyses, report generation, and leading test activities.
- Experience preparing reports, formal documentation, and presentations summarizing analysis results for internal and external audiences, including leadership and customers.
- Experience working with outside suppliers, customers, and cross-functional engineering teams, including Structural, Systems, Electrical, Manufacturing, Performance, Quality, and Configuration Management.
- Thermal test experience, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Thermal Cycle testing, with involvement in test design, procedure development, test analysis, onsite test support, and thermal model correlation.
Responsibilities
- Lead system-level thermal design and development, payload-level integration and testing, and risk mitigation for space-based environments.
- Perform thermal design and analysis on complex space-based mechanical hardware, including structural components, mechanisms, and electronics packaging.
- Create and analyze design concepts using thermal analysis software and FEA.
- Define and establish the technical approach for assigned objectives.
- Support programs through requirements derivation and verification, system architecture development, loads derivation, trade studies, design sensitivity and optimization studies, preliminary and final design analysis, and analysis documentation.
- Lead system test activities and develop thermal test plans for manufacturing and testing payload sensor systems.
- Prepare reports, formal documentation, presentation materials, and deliverable data packages that summarize analysis results; present results to internal and external groups, including leadership and customers.
- Participate in and present information at Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs).
- Interface with outside suppliers, customers, and engineering disciplines to drive designs to closure, including Structural, Systems Engineering, Electrical, Manufacturing, Performance, Quality, and Configuration Management.
- Support new business opportunities.
- Manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing situations.
- Mentor other Thermal Analysts in the use of thermal analysis tools.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
