Job Description

Date Posted:

2025-08-22

Country:

United States of America

Location:

A01: Rockford - Aerospace 4747 Harrison Avenue, Rockford, IL, 61125 USA

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:

None/Not Required

At Collins Aerospace, we’re redefining what’s possible in aerospace and defense, and we’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Project Engineer to help drive that mission forward. In this role, you’ll lead the design, test, and validation of advanced systems and components that ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of solutions used around the globe. You’ll quickly grow into a technical expert in mechanical design and test equipment development while collaborating with cross-functional teams in software, electrical, and systems engineering. Your work will directly support programs that keep pilots safe, enable secure communication, and power the next generation of aerospace technology.

As a Principal Mechanical Project Engineer, you’ll take on complex projects that span the full product lifecycle—from requirements definition and integration to sustainment and modernization efforts that keep our technology mission-ready. Whether developing test plans, troubleshooting complex mechanisms, or shaping proposals that drive future business, you’ll be positioned to make a visible impact. At Collins, we thrive on solving tough challenges together, empowering our engineers to grow, lead, and push the boundaries of innovation in aerospace.

What YOU Will Do:

• Lead test and validation activities for components and complex mechanical systems to ensure compliance with performance, reliability, and safety standards

• Support sustainment and modernization efforts across the product lifecycle, including requirements definition, hardware/software integration, validation, deployment, and failure investigations

• Contribute to proposals for test equipment by preparing cost estimates, schedules, and resource requirements

• Collaborate across disciplines to implement solutions that may include software, firmware, and hardware elements

• Develop and execute test plans, procedures, and protocols to validate system functionality and performance

• Partner with program teams and engineers to ensure seamless product delivery with minimal impact to operations

• Communicate progress, issues, and status updates clearly with both internal teams and external stakeholders

• Perform integration, testing, and documentation to ensure proper operation within factory and operational platforms

• Follow established engineering standards and processes, including peer reviews, test environment management, and continuous quality improvements

• Track and report task execution status against planned activities to support program performance metrics

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) experience and minimum 8 years of prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field with 5 years prior experience
• Understanding of mechanical systems, components, their assembly and maintenance
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Practical knowledge of RTX projects, programs or systems with the ability to make enhancements and leverage in daily work
• Experience with configuring, integrating, troubleshooting complex mechanisms
• Experience with Agile process management
• Experience with Test Driven Development
• Experience with planning and reporting technical and programmatic status
• Desire to work and thrive in a team environment and willingness to learn and expand experiences

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.

The salary range for this role is 101,000 USD - 203,000 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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