Athena Controls Chief Engineer (REMOTE)

Prattwhitney; Town of Florida (NY); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

3 weeks of vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead Flight Controls programs across the Precision Landing portfolio. You will own multiple smaller programs, provide certification strategy expertise, and ensure high-quality execution across all phases of development.

The role requires leadership of multidisciplinary teams, interfacing with customers, engineering management, and finance, while maintaining strict adherence to schedule and budget under RTX guidelines.

Qualifications

• Extensive technical background in Flight Controls.
• Documented success leading programs to DO-178 certifications.
• Knowledge of policies for military and commercial aircraft products.
• Proven record of on-time delivery while leading teams.
• STEM degree with 10+ years experience or advanced degree with 7+ years.

Responsibilities

• Interface with customers and executing teams to define and implement scope.
• Establish metrics infrastructure for progress, risks, and schedules.
• Lead and mentor junior leaders on projects and people.
• Coordinate program-level cost estimates during bid cycles.
• Develop and manage the program-level schedule and critical paths.

Skills

Flight Controls

DO-178 Certifications

Program Leadership

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (optional)

Tools

Model-Based Development

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-28 Country: United States of America Location: US-FL-REMOTE Position Role Type: Remote 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

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The Chief Engineer (CE) position will support the development, integration, and delivery of various Flight Control products and Landing Systems. The CE will take on ownership roles for several smaller programs within the Precision Landing and Controls portfolio, but also provide subject matter expertise on Certification Planning and Execution concepts within the Precision Landing Products engineering organization. The project is looking for a CE with experience leading multidisciplinary teams of engineers. The CE position represents engineering as the single point of contact, responsible for the project management of the technical development program within guidelines set by the Value Stream Leader (VSL) and customers. The ideal candidate will represent the highest level of industry expertise in Certification strategy, Flight Controls leadership, and Model-Based Development environment accommodation and will consistently champion superior execution across all phases of program delivery.

Remote

Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home). An employee may be expected to travel to the site location as needed.

What You Will Do

• Interface with customers and executing teams (both internal and external) during definition and implementation
• Establish an infrastructure that produces metrics and enables constant, immediate feedback on progress, risks, and schedule performance
• Implement and model a team culture of accountability and success
• Work with VSL and Subject Matter Experts (SME) to ensure customer expectations are translated into an executable project plan
• Lead and coordinate program level cost estimates during the RLPM bid cycle
• Coordinate all technical and project execution aspects of bid and proposal activities
• Effectively manage program-level scope and change management
• Develop and manage the program-level schedule as well as the integrated intermediate-level schedule
• Ensure critical path and key dependencies are effectively managed to ensure project success
• Lead milestone events for Engineering as required by RTX Program Lifecycle Management (RPLM)
• Take all possible actions to avoid or minimize problem areas
• Anticipate problems and if necessary, proactively revise project plans as permitted by policy and project requirements
• Mentor junior leaders – both on projects and people
• Interact with Engineering Management, Engineering Developers, Program Management, Business Development, and Finance

Qualifications You Must Have

• Extensive technical background in Flight Controls
• Documented success leading previous programs to DO-178 certifications and through Stages of Involvement Audit cycles
• Knowledge of policies and procedures for both military and commercial aircraft products
• Proven record of on-time delivery while leading teams
• Demonstrated and documented history of leading teams to consistently achieve superior execution results across complex programs
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience taking Model-Based Development Flight Controls projects to DO-178 certifications
• Previous experience leading teams, both Project and People
• Experience negotiating scope and schedule commitments, both internally and externally

  Qualifications We Prefer

  • Previous success in Program Recovery efforts
  • Exposure to Aircraft operations and/or licensed pilot

  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
  • Carrot Health to hormonal 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!

  The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.