Mechanical Engineering Co-op (Summer/Fall 2027)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

FSA

Flexible schedules

Employee assistance

Job summary

RTX's Collins Aerospace is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-op in Cedar Rapids. You'll work full-time, Monday–Friday, May/June to December, collaborating with hardware and systems engineers on cockpit displays, control panels, servos, and other avionics to enable aircraft connectivity.

You'll build 3D CAD models (NX, SolidWorks, Catia, Creo) and participate in thermal and vibration testing, issue investigations, and prototype build support.

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor's or Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, Catia, Creo or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Join a full-time co-op, May/June to December, with Fall semester off.
• Work with hardware and systems engineers to support new and existing products.
• Support cockpit displays, control panels, servos, and avionics equipment for aircraft connectivity.
• Investigate production issues and implement solutions.
• Support thermal and/or vibration testing and prototype build activities.

Skills

NX

SolidWorks

Catia

Creo

3D CAD modeling

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Catia

Creo

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-06 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131 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.

What You Will Do

Immerse yourself in a full-time, Monday-Friday co-op session, that will run May/June - December (including the Fall semester; it is expected students will take a semester off from coursework to fully engage with this working mentorship opportunity). As a Mechanical Engineering Co-op in our Displays, Controls, Computing & Networking department at Collins Aerospace, you will be responsible for working with other hardware and systems engineers to support new and existing products. Projects include support of cockpit displays and control panels, servos for control surface actuation, as well as a variety of other avionics equipment to enable aircraft connectivity. Investigate production issues, including developing and implementing solutions Support thermal and/or vibration testing of products to ensure survivability or product improvement Support in-service avionics hardware failure investigations Facilitate build of prototype assemblies for testing

Qualifications You Must Have

Must be pursuing Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session. Experience with 3D parametric modeling in computer aided design (CAD) tools such as: NX, SolidWorks, Catia, Creo, or equivalent Experience may be obtained through on-the-job experience, research, coursework, or projects.

Qualifications We Prefer

Experience with thermodynamics. Experience with manufacturing methods & limitations (i.e. sheet metal fabrication, machining, casting, plastic molding, etc.).

What We Offer

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

Relocation Eligibility

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role. 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. 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, 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. 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.