Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer - Space Systems

Job Title: Sr. Specialist, Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Space Systems)

Job Code: 45138

Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Job Schedule: 9/80 - Employees work 9 out of every 14 days- totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday off!

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

Job Description:

L3Harris is seeking a highly skilled hands-on Mechanical Engineer to support the design and development of space-based infrared sensors and the special test equipment required to deliver high-performance solutions. The ideal candidate has experience with optical system architectures, opto-mechanical integration, and alignment methods used in precision applications. The Mechanical Engineer will perform design, development, analysis, and manufacturing tasks on complex mechanical hardware including precision space structures and mechanisms in a program team environment. This role requires technical depth, hands-on problem solving, and close collaboration across multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

Essential Functions:

• Contribute to detailed CAD modeling and mechanical design of opto-mechanical structures supporting IR sensors.
• Support integration of infrared sensors into spacecraft payload assemblies, collaborating closely with thermal, structural, electrical, and systems engineering.
• Perform opto-mechanical analysis including tolerance analysis, sensitivity studies, and alignment error budgets.
• Develop and refine precision alignment tools, fixtures, and methodologies required to achieve micron level and arc second accuracy during sensor assembly and integration.
• Assist in developing alignment procedures, build instructions, inspection guidelines, and verification documentation.
• Execute verification of optical alignment, system performance, and environmental robustness through laboratory measurement, metrology, and test setups.
• Provide technical support during optical assembly, test campaigns, and troubleshooting of optical or alignment related anomalies.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 6 years of prior relevant experience.  Graduate Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• 2+ years of opto-mechanical analysis including tolerance analysis, sensitivity studies, and alignment error budgets.
• 2+ years of experience CAD modeling and mechanical design of opto-mechanical structures

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience designing for a space environment.
• Hold a current security Clearance
• Familiarity with precision metrology tools (interferometers, laser trackers, autocollimators, coordinate metrology systems like CMM/FARO).
• Understanding of space environmental qualification (thermal vacuum, random vibration, shock, radiation).
• Experience creating assembly tooling or fixtures for high accuracy optical systems.
• Proficiency in CAD and/or optical analysis tools (SolidWorks, Creo, Zemax, Code V, OpticStudio, or similar)
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and work effectively in cross functional teams
• Experience conducting analysis of space environments—including thermal gradients, vibration, radiation, and contamination—and their impact on optical performance and stability.

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