Principal Project Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-03-16

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IL-ROCKFORD-P6 ~ 4747 Harrison Ave ~ 4747 HARRISON AVE-P6

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

Are you ready to help lead cutting-edge aerospace technology programs? Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to support the technical execution and integration of advanced aerospace and defense systems.

In this role, you will contribute to technical execution, subsystem integration, and cross-functional coordination across Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) developing complex aerospace solutions. You will work closely with engineering disciplines, program leadership, and manufacturing partners to ensure technical objectives are delivered in alignment with program goals and customer requirements.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with the ability to coordinate across teams, manage technical scope, and help drive program execution. This role provides an opportunity to take on technical leadership responsibilities without direct supervisory management, while contributing to innovative aerospace programs within a collaborative engineering environment.

This position is onsite in Rockford, IL and supports programs requiring close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams.

What You Will Do:

• Provide technical leadership within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) supporting successful execution of program objectives
• Support technical execution, subsystem integration, and cross-discipline coordination across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams
• Assist in developing and executing technical plans, schedules, and engineering deliverables aligned with program milestones and customer requirements
• Serve as a technical interface between engineering teams, program leadership, and internal stakeholders to communicate progress, risks, and opportunities
• Coordinate with cross-functional partners including manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program management to ensure seamless integration of engineering deliverables
• Support risk identification and mitigation activities, helping resolve technical challenges and implement corrective actions to maintain program performance
• Contribute to monitoring project performance, including support of earned value management (EVM) activities to maintain alignment with program cost and schedule objectives
• Coordinate engineering activities across assigned workstreams to ensure alignment with program goals and technical requirements
• Support proposal development activities including technical inputs, work scope definition, and engineering estimates
• Prepare and support technical reviews, design reviews, and program status briefings for internal leadership and customers
• Ensure engineering activities comply with established processes, standards, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• Prior experience supporting the design, development, integration, or testing of aerospace or defense systems or subsystems
• Prior experience serving in a technical leadership role (e.g., Project Engineer, Technical Lead, Systems Lead, IPT Lead, or Subsystem Lead) supporting execution of engineering deliverables within a program environment
• Prior experience coordinating engineering work across multiple technical disciplines within a cross-functional program team
• Prior experience working within matrixed engineering organizations supporting aerospace or defense programs
• Prior experience applying systems engineering processes, risk management practices, or configuration management within an engineering development program

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline
• Prior Control Account Manager (CAM) or Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience
• Experience supporting full product lifecycle development from concept through production
• Experience providing technical leadership within Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
• Familiarity with RTX tools, processes, or product lifecycle management systems
• Experience with FPGA closed-loop control systems, actuation systems, or power electronics within a regulated aerospace environment
• Demonstrated ability to support technical reviews, design reviews, and program briefings
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to engineering teams, program leadership, and stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues and mitigate technical risks

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees  

• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option  

• Tuition reimbursement program 

• Student Loan Repayment Program  

• Life insurance and disability coverage  

• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection 

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits 

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning  

• Adoption Assistance           

• Autism Benefit  

• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions  

• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program 

• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits  

• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services 

• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program  

• And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now!

Mission Systems: 

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. 

* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again.

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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