F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) Program Chief Engineer (Onsite)

Pratt & Whitney; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 186,000 - 354,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package

Benefits

Job summary

Pratt & Whitney seeks an engineering leader to join the Military Engines Engineering (MEE) organization as the F135 ECU Program Chief Engineer. You will provide strategic and technical leadership for F135 ECU engineering activities, collaborating with the F135 Program Chief Engineer team, IPMTs, and cross-functional teams to ensure on-time ISR readiness.

The role demands deep systems engineering expertise, cross-functional influence, and a track record of delivering complex programs under DoD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM and 14+ years engineering experience or advanced degree with 12+ years
• U.S. citizen and eligible for DoD security clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance
• Experience in aerospace, propulsion, or complex engineering programs

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to F135 ECU development across SIPT/CIPTs and systems engineering teams
• Drive cross-functional alignment to resolve complex issues affecting validation, verification and certification of ECU
• Represent engineering with internal stakeholders and external customers
• Partner with Operations, Programs, and DoD Joint Program Office to execute the program of record
• Shape future program leadership for high-priority, complex initiatives
• Travel up to 10% (Domestic and International)

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical problem-solving

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-G ~ 400 Main St ~ BLDG G

Date Posted: 2026-10-26

Country: United States of America

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

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 world’s 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.

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is seeking an engineering leader to join the Military Engines Engineering (MEE) organization as the F135 ECU Program Chief Engineer. In this role, you will provide strategic and technical leadership for F135 ECU engineering activities, working closely with the F135 Program Chief Engineer team, F135 Program Office, Integrated Product Management Teams (IPMTs), and cross-functional engineering and operations organizations. You will be responsible for ensuring the F135 ECU program flawlessly executes the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase culminating in compliance with requirements and on-time Initial Service Readiness (ISR). The successful candidate will lead across organizational boundaries, address complex technical challenges, and represent engineering with internal stakeholders and external customers.

What You Will Do:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to the SIPT, CIPTs, and systems engineering teams to execute F135 ECU’s development program.
• Lead development engineering activities through participation in PMTs and by driving cross-functional alignment and resolution of complex technical issues affecting validation, verification and certification of ECU.
• Represent engineering on ECU-related topics with internal stakeholders, program leadership, and external customers.
• Partner across organizations with the Operations, Programs, and the Department of War’s Joint Program Office to communicate and execute the program of record.
• Shape the future of the F135 program by providing targeted leadership to high-priority, complex, ambiguous, and highly visible teams, projects, and initiatives.
• Travel Requirement: 10% (Domestic and International).

What You Will Learn:

• Gain experience managing engineering across a large military development program.
• Connect component and system issues to engine-level and compliance outcomes.
• Align Engineering, Programs, Operations, and other stakeholders around complex technical decisions.
• Represent engineering priorities and communicate technical issues with senior internal and external customers.
• Lead ambiguous, high-priority, and highly visible technical challenges.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 14+ years of engineering experience relevant to the role, or an advanced degree in a related field and 12+ years of relevant engineering experience.
• Relevant experience may include aerospace or propulsion engineering, systems engineering, engineering sustainment, lifecycle management, depot operations, or technical leadership of complex engineering programs.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen. This position may require access to systems/tools that are restricted to individuals who possess US citizenship.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance and experience in military engine, propulsion, aerospace, or defense engineering.
• Engineering development expertise with experience in validation, verification or certification activities.
• Strong systems engineering and technical problem-solving skills, with experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Proven cross-functional leadership and influence, with the ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries with program leadership, operations, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Strategic leadership and strong customer focus, with demonstrated alignment to the Pratt & Whitney Leadership Operating Model and the ability to effectively navigate complex and ambiguous environments.

What We Offer:

• Relocation Package
• Benefits

What Is My Role Type:

In addition to transforming the future of flight, we are also transforming how and where we work. We’ve introduced role types to help you understand how you will operate in our blended work environment.

This position is classified as: 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.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

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 186,200 USD - 353,800 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.