Defense Maritime Principal Project Engineer (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Rainbow (CT); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vacation 3 weeks

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Life & disability insurance

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Project Engineer in Windsor Locks, CT, to lead cross-disciplinary engineering efforts across mechanical, electrical, software, and systems domains. You will own design direction, integrate activities, and ensure verification and certification align with customer and regulatory requirements.

You will communicate with customers and suppliers, manage program schedules and budgets, and drive on-time contract delivery while maintaining compliance with Collins’

Qualifications

• Proven planning, adaptability, organizational and negotiation skills for effective team management.
• Experience with electromechanical hardware development and qualification.
• Experience in configuration management processes in a controlled production environment including BOM maintenance and release.
• Experience interacting directly with external customers and suppliers.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Ability to anticipate project risks and build contingency plans.

Responsibilities

• Hold technical design authority for the assigned product/segment/customer scope and lead cross-discipline technical integration.
• Establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering direction for product research, development, integration, and test.
• Ensure verification, validation, and certification activities meet requirements.
• Communicate with customers, suppliers and IPDT through meetings and updates.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and facilitate project meetings.

Skills

Planning

Adaptability

Organization

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Customer communication

Risk management

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-12 Country: United States of America Location: US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B2 ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 2 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: 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 Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Collins Aerospace 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. Join our innovative team at Collins Aerospace as a Principal Project Engineer within our Mission Systems Maritime Defense Engineering team in Windsor Locks, CT.

What You Will Do:

• You will hold technical design authority for the assigned product/segment/customer scope and lead cross-discipline technical integration across mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and other engineering domains, ensuring that all elements work together as a cohesive solution.
• You will establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering direction for product research, development, integration, and test within assigned scope.
• Ensure that verification, validation, and certification/qualification activities are planned and executed to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• You will directly communicate with customers, suppliers and internal Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT) – including daily tag-ups, weekly meetings, and quarterly meetings.
• You will plan, schedule, coordinate and facilitate all meetings required for the project.
• Capture and publish meeting minutes.
• Capture, track, publish, and coordinate closure of action items.
• You will coordinate, track and drive to closure all tasks that must be completed by the cross-functional team to meet contractual, technical, regulatory, budget, and schedule requirements as part of product development, production, and life cycle support.
• You will manage, track, and deliver the required periodic reports on budget for the project including completion and delivery of monthly financial reports.
• You will develop and manage program schedules to drive on-time contract deliveries.
• You will coordinate technical inputs to proposals, business plans, work statements, specifications, budgets, and contractual terms for their product or customer area.
• You will ensure that commitments are technically sound, feasible, and consistent with family architectures and standards.
• You will utilize Earned Value methodology to forecast demand and track project completion.
• You will track and coordinate mitigation of risks related to technical, quality, schedule, and budget for product development.
• You will plan and coordinate allocation of resources for the Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT).
• You will complete all work in compliance with Collins Aerospace’s Quality Management System.
• You will, on an as needed basis, perform field service activities onsite typically at the customer’s shipbuilding or repair facility, including troubleshooting or preventative maintenance of Collins’ equipment installed in a submarine or at a test facility.
• You may travel up to 30% periodically to support program needs.

What You Will Learn:

• You will learn to lead cross-functional teams for complex project execution
• You will master project management including budgets, schedules, and resources
• You will gain in-depth knowledge of hydrogen fuel cell/electrolyzer systems
• You will understand nuances of military contracts and regulations
• You will sharpen communication skills for diverse technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Proven planning, adaptability, organizational and negotiation skills for effective team management
• Experience with electromechanical hardware development and qualification
• Experience in configuration management processes in a controlled production environment including the maintenance of a bill of material structure and complying with product specific release requirements
• Experience interacting directly with external customers and suppliers.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Ability to anticipate project risks and build contingency plans.
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of 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:

• Preferred educational background/focus in Systems, Mechanical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering
• Prior experience with hydrogen fuel cell or electrolysis systems
• Experience with systems containing valves, pumps, compressors, fans, heat exchangers, mixers, separators, sensors, and storage tanks
• Previous submarine or spacecraft experience
• Previous knowledge and/or experience with U.S. Navy air revitalization systems and power management systems
• General knowledge of fluid systems design
• Knowledge of ASME codes and standards for process piping and pressure vessels
• Experience with military contract programs
• Strong focus on teamwork, team building, and employee development

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
• 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
• 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 may be eligible for relocation and more!

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.

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.

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.

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