Aero Thermal Fluid, Senior Engineer

Prattwhitney; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Relocation package

Job summary

Pratt & Whitney, a RTX aerospace leader, seeks a turbomachinery engineer in East Hartford, CT to analyze and design fan and compressor air systems, validate with CFD, and develop thermal models. Candidates should hold a PhD or be PhD candidates with a master’s and have 3+ years of relevant experience; the role requires ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. The position offers relocation and cross-disciplinary leadership opportunities on high‑performance engine programs.

Qualifications

• PhD or PhD Candidate with Masters in icing, heat transfer and/or turbomachinery development.
• Advanced degree with minimum 3 years experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and design fan/compressor air systems using 1D compressible flow modeling and CFD.
• Generate CFD-based thermal boundary conditions and develop thermal models.
• Specify engine validation test plans and compare analytical models to engine data.
• Lead multi-project efforts with multiple priorities and budgets.

Skills

CFD

Heat transfer

Turbomachinery

Team leadership

Technical communication

Education

PhD or PhD Candidate with Masters

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

ANSYS Fluent/CFX

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-27 Country: United States of America Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-ENG ~ 400 Main St ~ BLDG ENG 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

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the worlds most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power systems and has been revolutionizing modern flight for over 100 years. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

• Analyze and design fan/compressor air systems leveraging 1D compressible flow modeling and CFD
• Generate CFD based thermal boundary conditions and knowledge or experience in conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer to create fan/compressor rotor and casing thermal models.
• Specify engine validation test plans, review engine and test rig data, and match analytical models to engine data.
• Optimize air system architecture to ensure safety of flight, hardware to meet design life requirements, and gas turbine performance aligning customer requirements.
• Operate independently attacking complex challenges while developing part and module solutions.
• Prioritize and support multiple projects with contending priorities on time and on budget.
• Be both contributor and technical-leader in high performance teams interfacing with a wide range of disciplines for module design.
• Travel up to 10%

What You Will Learn

• Analysis and development of functional characteristics related to non-gas-path elements of the fan/compressor module, including air systems, thermal response, clearance optimization, bearing integration, heat loading, and efficiency optimization in a highly complex environment
• Entire engine experience interfacing with engine mechanical systems, air systems, and operability/performance group
• How to provide deep technical contributions with cutting edge aerothermal design and analysis methods

Qualifications You Must Have

• PhD graduate or PhD Candidate with Masters with directly applicable research in icing, heat transfer and/or turbomachinery development.
• A minimum of 5 years prior relevant experience, or
• An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years experience
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer

• Active U.S. government issued security clearance.
• Experience leading technical/professional teams to develop innovative ideas
• Experience writing and communicating clear and effective messages to a broad audience; with key examples of projects completed and documented (e.g. publications, reports, detailed briefings)
• Experience in three or more discipline areas: CFD, heat transfer, flow systems, clearances, rig and/or engine testing with Turbomachinery design & research experience.
• Experience with a range of modern thermal-fluid analytical tools used in the gas turbine industry, including ANSYS Classic/Workbench (Fluent/CFX is a plus)

What We Offer

• Benefits
• Relocation Package

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.

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD.

We consider several factors when extending an offer.

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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity.

The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.