Principal Equipment Engineer, Structural Processing (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Burnsville (MN); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) plan with match

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Principal Equipment Engineer to support the Structural Processing team. This role emphasizes hands-on development, integration, and validation of advanced manufacturing equipment across sites.

You will collaborate with OEMs, integrators, and vendors to deliver scalable automation solutions. The ideal candidate has strong experience in industrial automation, robotics, and controls, with a track record in equipment commissioning, debugging, and supporting multi-site

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) required.
• Advanced degree with related field is a plus.
• U.S. citizenship is required for access to program/contract.”

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and validate advanced manufacturing equipment for structural processing applications.
• Lead equipment development workstreams and supplier interactions.
• Support equipment architecture, controls strategy, robotics integration, and functional safety.

Skills

Industrial automation

Robotics

U.S. citizenship

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

PLC-based controls

Job description

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Person, 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.

The Equipment Engineering organization is seeking a highly skilled Principal Equipment Engineer to support the Structural Processing engineering team. This role focuses on hands‑on development, integration, and validation of advanced manufacturing equipment and automation solutions used in process‑intensive manufacturing applications.

The ideal candidate is an experienced technical contributor with strong expertise in industrial automation, robotics, controls, and structural processing equipment. This engineer will execute equipment development workstreams, collaborate with vendors and integrators, and deliver robust, scalable solutions for multiple manufacturing sites.

This position is execution‑focused and centered on technical solution development, detailed design evaluation, and equipment integration support. Project management activities (schedule, budget, governance) are managed by the Program Management Office, enabling this role to focus on engineering excellence and hands‑on technical problem solving.

What You Will Do:

• Develop, integrate, and validate advanced manufacturing equipment for structural processing applications, including cold spray deposition, robotic welding, brazing systems, press systems, and forming equipment.
• Own execution of assigned equipment development workstreams, including design collaboration, controls integration, commissioning, debug, and acceptance testing.
• Work closely with equipment OEMs, integrators, and automation suppliers; lead day‑to‑day technical interaction and challenge design assumptions to ensure manufacturability, reliability, and scalability.
• Support equipment architecture, controls strategy, robotics integration, functional safety implementation, and process monitoring.
• Translate complex manufacturing process requirements into practical, scalable equipment designs.
• Conduct technical evaluations, design reviews, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis across automation, controls, cold spray, welding, and brazing technologies.
• Support development of standardized equipment platforms, tooling concepts, and integration practices deployable across multiple sites.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, EHS, and site teams to define technical requirements and ensure equipment readiness.
• Participate in equipment commissioning, startup, debug, and operational handoff at manufacturing sites.
• Generate engineering documentation, specifications, validation plans, and technical reports.
• Provide subject matter expertise in cold spray, automated welding, brazing, industrial robotics, structural processing, automation, and controls.
• May mentor junior engineers and support capability‑building within the Structural Processing team.
• Travel up to 25% to manufacturing sites and vendor facilities as required

Technical Scope

• Experience with one or more of the following:
• Cold spray deposition systems
• Robotic welding systems (MIG, TIG, specialty processes)
• Automated or semi‑automated brazing systems
• Industrial robotics and integrated automation cells
• Press and forming systems
• Automated process equipment
• Material handling, fixtures, and integrated manufacturing equipment
• Machine controls, PLC‑based systems, HMI development, and functional safety
• Process monitoring, supervision, and multi‑technology equipment integration

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience
• Experience with industrial automation or robotics
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience developing, integrating, or deploying automated industrial or manufacturing equipment
• Direct experience working with equipment OEMs, integrators, or automation suppliers
• Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot complex engineering and controls issues
• Working knowledge of PLC‑based controls, robotics integration, sensors, and equipment interfaces
• Understanding of machine safety and functional safety principles
• Experience with cold spray deposition, including equipment development or process integration
• Experience with automated brazing or converting manual brazing processes into automation‑ready equipment solutions
• Experience with robotic welding, forming systems, press equipment, or other structural processing technologies
• Experience with equipment commissioning, debug, acceptance testing, and production ramp
• Experience supporting multi‑site equipment deployment
• Demonstrated ability to challenge vendor designs and drive technical improvements
• Hands‑on problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis skills

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
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• 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!

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.