Materials Engineering Lab Co-Op (Spring/Summer 2027)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Flexible work schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Job summary

RTX Cedar Rapids hosts a Spring/Summer Materials Engineer Co-op to design experiments, build test vehicles and perform environmental testing for ruggedized electronics. You will work with senior engineers in a lab to improve materials and processes before production globally.

The role emphasizes documenting results, learning to write technical papers, and contributing to industry standards while onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA, with relocation possible for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering or a related STEM field and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co‑op session.
• Prior experience in lab environments.
• Background in root cause analysis.
• Completed coursework in metallurgy or polymers.
• Experience technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Design experiments, build test vehicles, conduct environmental testing, and perform failure analysis for new technologies and materials.
• Write technical white papers to document results.
• Contribute to the improvement of industry standards for building electronics.

Skills

Lab experience

Root cause analysis

Metallurgy

Polymers

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering or related STEM field

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-28 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108 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

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co‑ops and full‑time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

Are you looking for a rewarding position? Join our team as a Materials Engineer Spring and Summer Co‑op on the Advanced Operations Engineering Team in Cedar Rapids, IA, where you'll apply Materials Engineering concepts in a research and development lab for building electronic assemblies for Aerospace Applications. You would need to take the fall semester off. Your focus will be on improving materials and processes used in manufacturing and developing new processes prior to production implementation at sites around the world. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with senior engineers in Materials Engineering for building ruggedized electronics. Located onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA, you'll play a crucial role in executing designs of experiments and root cause analysis in a lab environment. If you're passionate about Materials Engineering and driven to make a meaningful impact to materials and process improvement, we encourage you to apply and join us in advancing our shared goals of excellence and innovation. This role is onsite, in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role may be eligible for relocation.

What You Will Do

• Design experiments, build test vehicles, conduct environmental testing, and perform failure analysis for new technologies and materials.
• Write technical white papers to document results.
• Contribute to the improvement of industry standards for building electronics.

What You Will Learn

• Learn to design experiments to optimize manufacturing processes for new technologies.
• Develop skills to document procedures and testing for manufacturing use.
• Gain an understanding of the role of a materials engineer in manufacturing development.
• Explore various development opportunities to expand your knowledge for future roles.
• Build communication and collaboration skills essential for success in this role.
• Participate in on‑the‑job training and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering or a related STEM field and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co‑op session.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Prior experience in lab environments.
• Background in root cause analysis.
• Completed coursework in metallurgy or polymers.
• Experience technical writing.

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviours, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

• 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.

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. 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 37,000 USD - 82,000 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. 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.