Lead, Mechanical Engineer - Structural Analyst (Space Systems)
L3Harris Technologies· Defense· Oct 22, 2026 · 6d ago
Rochester, New York, United States
In office
Full-time
Lead
$140K–$208K est.
9+ years exp
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 Engineer – Structural Analyst (Space Systems)
Job Code: 46488
Job Location: Rochester, NY
Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!)
Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants
Job Description:
Perform and lead structural analysis of complex space systems including optomechanical assemblies, precision structures, mechanisms, and electronic packaging. This expert-level position requires mastery of sophisticated analysis techniques, technical leadership across programs, mentoring of junior staff, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure structural integrity and system performance from concept through flight.
Essential Responsibilities:
Technical Execution:
• Lead the development of analysis strategies and approaches for complex space structures
• Interpret system specifications and develop comprehensive analysis plans with minimal direction
• Lead development of finite element models of complex space structures, including composites, metallics, and glass
• Validate analysis approaches through correlation with test data and hand calculations
• Serve as technical authority for structural analysis methods and best practices
• Perform and review comprehensive analyses for structural responses to ground, test, launch, and on-orbit environments, including • Structural strength and stability
• Modal characteristics and dynamic response
• Vibroacoustic environments
• Thermoelastic response and STOP analysis
• Optomechanical performance
• Fatigue/fracture assessments
Technical Leadership & Communication:
• Work independently on complex, high-visibility programs
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-level analysts
• Lead technical reviews and provide expert recommendations to program leadership
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, and presentations for internal reviews and customer deliverables
• Support and lead design reviews, trade studies, and design optimization efforts
• Interface directly with design engineers, systems engineering, and test organizations
Program Support:
• Serve as structural analysis lead or subject matter expert on major programs
• Contribute throughout the development cycle: requirements definition, concept trades, preliminary/final design, component selection, and integration/test support
• Support manufacturing operations and provide technical guidance
• Lead risk identification and mitigation activities
• Support proposal development and technical planning efforts
• Selected candidate will need to be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering/science discipline 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
• 3+ years of experience working on aerospace programs
• 3+ years experience with Nastran (required) and commercial pre/post processors (Femap or Patran preferred)
• Professional experience performing structural analysis of aerospace systems
• Experience with NASA or DoD structural design standards and requirements
Preferred Additional Skills:
• Active TS/SCI Clearance is preferred
• Optomechanical systems and precision structures
• Composite structure design and analysis
• Advanced dynamic analysis and test correlation
• Fracture and damage tolerance analysis
• Jitter / microvibration analysis
• Electronic packaging analysis
• On-orbit thermoelastic (STOP) analysis
• Programming/scripting experience (MATLAB, Python, Fortran) for analysis automation and tool development
• Prior experience as a technical lead, project engineer, IPT lead, or chief engineer
• Experience supporting proposal development and cost/schedule estimation
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, and Vermont is $106,000 - $197,000. 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
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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 .
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Benefits
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401(K)
Pto
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave