Lead Mechanical Engineer – Thermal, Space Vehicle and Payload

L3Harris Technologies

. Serve as the technical lead for spacecraft-level thermal design, defining architecture, strategies, and requirements for high-reliability space vehicles .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $106,000 - $197,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in spacecraft-level thermal design, including the development of thermal models and analyses for various mission phases. Proficient in leading thermal control hardware creation and validation while ensuring compliance with mission-specific requirements and environmental considerations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Thermal Desktop ExpertiseThermal Design For Space EnvironmentTechnical Leadership ExperienceThermal Model DevelopmentThermal Testing Control Logic

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Thermal DesignThermal AnalysisThermal ModelingThermal Control Hardware DevelopmentThermal Performance Budget ManagementThermal-Fluids PhysicsReliability AssessmentsThermal Coatings KnowledgeMulti-Phase Flow AnalysisThermal Testing

Soft Skills

MentoringCollaborationLeadership

Tools & Technologies

SINDA/FLUINTESATAN-TMSThermal Desktop

Certifications & Qualifications

US Security Clearance Eligibility

Industry Keywords

Spacecraft MaterialsThermal CoatingsMission-Specific EnvironmentsGovernment Space MissionsDoD ExperienceCislunar KnowledgeGEO KnowledgeLEO KnowledgeThermal Considerations in RF PayloadsTVAC Correlation

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the technical lead for spacecraft-level thermal design, defining architecture, strategies, and requirements for high-reliability space vehicles
Develop detailed thermal models and analyses for all mission phases, including worst-case hot/cold environments, eclipse conditions, orbital variations, and mission-specific scenarios
Lead creation and validation of thermal control hardware, including radiators, coatings, heat pipes, surface finishes, insulation, heaters, and conductive interfaces
Own thermal performance budgets and flow-down of requirements to payloads, avionics, structures, and propulsion subsystems
Evaluate thermal impacts of system trades, configuration changes, power profiles, and operational timelines
Direct development of thermal math models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN-TMS, or equivalent
Provide leadership during spacecraft hardware build, integration, and test, including TVAC planning, execution, anomaly resolution, and correlation of test results to analysis
Guide environmental considerations for space platforms including radiation, conduction, convection-free behavior, material properties, surface degradation, and mission life effects
Collaborate with systems engineering, mechanical design, power, RF, digital hardware, manufacturing, and mission assurance teams
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and drive continuous improvement in thermal engineering processes
Prepare thermal requirements, analysis reports, review packages, test plans, and verification matrices

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience, or Graduate Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience, or in lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience
5+ years professional experience using Thermal Desktop
Prior or current professional experience with thermal design and analysis for space environment/products
2+ years of experience as an IPTL or providing technical leadership to an engineering team
Ability to obtain a US security clearance
Experience designing for a space environment
Deep understanding of spacecraft materials, thermal coatings, MLI, conductive interfaces, and active thermal control elements
Demonstrated success in developing, validating, and correlating thermal models to TVAC results
Experience working on government, DoD, or national security space missions
Knowledge of mission-specific environments such as GEO, LEO, cislunar, or deep space
Broad knowledge of thermal-fluids physics including heat conduction and convection of multi-phase flows
Experience creating and overseeing the development of thermal testing control logic in SINDA/FLUENT
Familiarity with structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis, deployment mechanism thermal behavior, or thermal considerations in RF/high-power payloads
Experience with reliability assessments, derating, and long-duration thermal performance modeling

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants
Health and disability insurance
401(k) match
Flexible spending accounts
EAP
Education assistance
Parental leave
Paid time off
Company-paid holidays
9/80 schedule with every other Friday off