Principal Electrical Engineer – Hardware (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Hardware Electrical Engineer to lead the design of high-speed digital circuit card assemblies for ground, airborne, and space platforms. This role requires expertise in digital design, PCB layout, and integration, as well as U.S. citizenship and a DoD Secret clearance.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in PCB design tools and should be adept in signal integrity analysis. The position offers a competitive salary along with comprehensive benefits, including a generous 401(k) plan and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required and must obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability to articulate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with high-speed protocols like PCIe and Ethernet.

Responsibilities

• Design high-speed digital CCAs from requirements through schematic capture.
• Mentor hardware engineers on design principles and best practices.
• Perform hardware integration and Design Verification Testing.

Skills

Expertise in high-speed digital design

End-to-end circuit card development experience

Proficiency with PCB design tools

Hands-on SI/PI analysis experience

Education

STEM degree with 8+ years experience or advanced degree with 5+ years experience

Tools

Xpedition

Cadence Allegro

Altium Designer

HyperLynx

ADS

SPICE

Job description

Principal Hardware Electrical Engineer – Resilient Connectivity Products (RCP) Hardware Technologies organization at Collins Aerospace. This role focuses on designing and leading high‑speed digital circuit card assemblies (CCAs) for ground, airborne, and space platforms. It requires U.S. citizenship and a current DoD Secret security clearance.

What You Will Do

• Electronic Circuit Design – design high‑speed digital CCAs from requirements through schematic capture, PCB layout, integration, and production.
• Technical Mentoring – mentor hardware engineers on high‑speed digital design principles, PCB layout techniques, and best practices.
• Signal & Power Integrity (SI/PI) Optimization – ensure robust SI/PI via advanced modeling, simulation, and hardware validation.
• Design Optimization – champion Design-to-Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Test (DFT) principles to ensure producible, cost‑effective, and testable designs.
• Hardware Verification & Test Support – perform hardware integration and Design Verification Testing (DVT), support Product Qualification Testing, factory production, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – serve as the primary technical interface to Systems, Software, and Mechanical Engineering teams and to leadership and customers.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Expertise in high‑speed digital design for complex multilayer PCBs (12+ layers) with DFM/DFT, PCB fabrication, controlled impedance, board assembly, and design verification testing knowledge.
• End‑to‑end circuit card development experience – from concept to production, including requirements, schematic capture, layout, bring‑up, and integration.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Xpedition, Cadence Allegro, or Altium Designer.
• Hands‑on SI/PI analysis experience with tools such as HyperLynx, ADS, or SPICE.
• A STEM degree with a minimum of 8 years relevant experience, or an advanced degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance (Secret).

Qualifications We Prefer

• Active SECRET or higher security clearance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex technical information to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of high‑speed protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, and high‑speed memory interfaces.
• Control Account Manager (CAM) or Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience for cost, schedule, and risk management of hardware projects.
• Experience preparing estimates, bids, and proposals.
• Previous work in a defense or aerospace company.
• Agile for Hardware Development experience, including Scrum Master/Product Owner roles and proficiency with JIRA.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching and separate retirement contributions
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student loan repayment program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional additional coverages (pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life/accident, critical illness, group legal, ID theft protection)
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits
• Fertility and family planning support (Ovia Health)
• Adoption assistance and autism benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan with up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Wellness rewards program and healthy‑you incentives
• Doctor on Demand and virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons childcare and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts second opinion program
• Eligibility for relocation and other benefits

Benefits and Compensation

Sign‑on bonus is eligibility. Salary range: 107,500 USD – 204,500 USD, based on experience, location, and role. Additional short‑term and long‑term incentive compensation may be offered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 disabilities and protected veterans per Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.