Principal Engineer, Structural Engineering(Onsite)

globalhr; Foley (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan with matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to lead complex design, build, and delivery of aircraft components in a highly collaborative onsite role.

The engineer will perform static, fatigue, and fracture analyses on metallic and advanced composite structures, define repair concepts, and support MRB and FAA approval processes across programs.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM with 8+ years of relevant aerospace experience.
• Strong static and fatigue analysis background.
• Experience with metallic and composite structures.
• Experience using Patran.
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex structural analyses including static, fatigue and fracture analyses for aerospace components.
• Define and document repair designs for metallic and composite structures and coordinate MRB actions.
• Support FAA approval processes with engineering reports and signatures as needed.
• Provide technical leadership on selected projects and mentor junior staff.
• Collaborate with operations, quality, manufacturing and engineering to implement improvements.

Skills

Static stress analysis

Fatigue analysis

Advanced composite structures

Metallic structures

Hand calculations

Patran

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in related field

Tools

FEA tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-03

Country: United States of America

Location: US-AL-FOLEY-1300 ~ 1300 W Fern Ave ~ OEM BLDG

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

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.

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.

Collins Aerospace is looking for a Principal Structural Engineer to fill a high business impact role by representing the Engineering organization through tactical and strategic oversight.

This experienced Engineer will provide technical expertise throughout the product design, build, and delivery processes for complex, integrated aircraft components of metallic and advanced composite construction.

This role will drive meaningful improvements across Engineering Production Support processes by applying a strong understanding of product design, performing detailed structural analyses, and promoting continuous improvement in engineering efficiency, product producibility, quality, and cost reduction.

What You Will Do:

• Perform complex structural analyses using hand and computer calculations, including static, fatigue and fracture analysis of aerospace components.
• Define, assess, and document repair designs for metallic, bonded metallic, and advanced composite aerospace structures.
• Work with Materials Review Board (MRB) to develop standard repair instructions.
• Analyze repair proposals and prepare formal engineering reports supporting minor and major repairs for customers and FAA approval, which may include obtaining authorized engineering signatures.
• Provide limited direction to others in stress analysis and may act as technical lead on assigned projects.
• Coordinate repairs with internal and external customers, as well as external staff of major airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
• Develop and implement processes, methods, and tools that improve efficiency throughout Engineering Production Support workflows activities.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering quality, productivity, standardization, and cycle time reduction.
• Assist cross functional technical team in identifying opportunities for improved producibility and work with extended engineering team to implement meaningful changes.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to identify and implement cost reduction opportunities across product lines and processes.
• Provide technical expertise to Engineering Build Assessment and design study activities to drive regular improvements in defect eradication.
• Review, quantify, and drive support of defect corrective action plans across the product lines.
• Support product development teams by providing defect eradication, producibility, and lessons learned early in the product lifecycle.
• undefined
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and decisions clearly to engineering leadership, customers and cross functional stakeholders.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum 8 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Strong structural analysis background including static stress analysis and fatigue analysis.
• Experience with stress analysis of metallic and advanced composite structures.
• Experience using Patran or comparable finite element analysis tools.
• Experience performing detail analysis by hand calculations and computer methods.
• Experience working effectively across functional boundaries and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic production support environment.
• Experience identifying process improvement opportunities, developing and implementing corrective or improvement actions, and leading continuous improvement projects from concept through execution and implementation
• Must have proficient/advanced Microsoft Office computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Outlook.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience working on aircraft modifications and/or repairs.
• Airframe/aerospace design and stress analysis experience.
• Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to address issues of complex scope.
• Proactive, action-oriented approach to managing tasks and activities.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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 illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
• 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
• And more!

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.

Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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 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.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.

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