Principal Hardware Engineer (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

RTX in Largo, Florida is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead multi-discipline engineering teams in transitioning programs from design into production and sustainment. You will resolve production, material, and test issues for military communication products including RF assemblies and antennas.

The role requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years, and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and 8+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
• Experience in designing/producing military electronic communication systems and transition to production.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-discipline engineering teams during program transition from design to production.
• Head manufacturing engineering reviews for producibility, testability and performance margins.
• Oversee design, selection, specification and optimization of production equipment, tooling and gaging.
• Lead RCCA investigations at factory, suppliers, and design sites.
• Communicate status and technical topics to internal and customer leadership.
• Perform design and supplier trade studies and update hardware specifications.
• Develop production test strategies and contribute to configuration control processes.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Verbal and written communication

Technical documentation

Education

STEM degree

Master of Science degree

Tools

Military RF systems design

Production test equipment

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-24 Country: United States of America Location: US-FL-LARGO-382SS ~ 7887 Bryan Dairy Rd. ~ BLDG 100 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1 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. Our team is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to fill an onsite position at Largo Consolidated Manufacturing Center (CMC) in Largo, Florida. This position will serve as program production engineering lead responsible for investigating and resolving production, material and test issues related to military communication products comprised of multiple integrated digital and analog/RF assemblies, including antennas. The selected candidate must have technical expertise in the design and production of complex mechanical, digital, and analog/RF systems and have demonstrated engineering leadership skills. Must be able to collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Design Engineering to resolve issues that arise during production, testing, and integration. Sign-on Bonus Eligible

What You Will Do:

• Lead multi-discipline engineering teams in the transition of programs from design phase into production and follow on sustainment production activities
• Lead manufacturing engineering team in product design reviews to ensure producibility, testability, and performance margin.
• Lead the processes for design, selection, specification, and optimization for production required for equipment, fixtures, tooling and gaging.
• Lead and support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations at factory, suppliers, and design sites.
• Lead reviews of critical manufacturing performance metrics and develop initiatives to improve performance.
• Lead manufacturing engineering team proposals.
• Effectively communicate technical topics and execution status to internal and customer leadership.
• Perform design and supplier trade studies.
• Evaluate and update hardware specifications and technical data packages.
• Develop production test strategies and perform test coverage analysis.
• Support of configuration control and membership on Configuration Control Board (CCB).
• Lead supplier technical support and issue resolution.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities.
• Generate schedules and report status/earned value.
• Occasional travel

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Prior experience in designing or producing military electronic communication systems, as well as supporting program transition to production and long-term sustainment.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with proficiency in technical documentation.
• Expertise in project management.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Masters of Science in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
• 10+ years of related experience, including technical leadership.
• Previous experience in design or manufacture of complex analog/RF systems.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.

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
• May be eligible for relocation
• And more!

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. 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.

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.