Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, part of RTX, seeks a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to drive standardized manufacturing processes, documentation, and training across sites. You will partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Digital Technology to ensure consistency and readiness of standards aligned with Collins’ strategic goals.

This onsite role supports sites in Cedar Rapids, IA, Phoenix, AZ, or Charlotte, NC, with up to 20% travel and potential relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Experience developing or maintaining standard work, manufacturing processes, and technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing methods (assembly, machining, electronics, testing, or similar).
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (ACE, Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to creation, improvement, and maintenance of manufacturing standards, processes, and related documentation.
• Support alignment of standards with digital transformation initiatives (MES, PLM, digital work instructions).
• Develop workforce capability models, skills matrices, certification criteria, and training processes.
• Evaluate current practices to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide technical expertise in modern manufacturing methods and digital tools.
• Support implementation of standard processes, tooling strategies, and site-wide improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure consistent deployment of best practices.
• Participate in team planning, continuous improvement activities, and roadmap execution.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Lean Six Sigma

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

MES

PLM

Digital work instructions

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-16 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105 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

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 Principal Manufacturing Engineer will support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized manufacturing processes, documentation, and training frameworks across multiple Collins sites. This role partners closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Digital Technology to drive consistency, readiness, and effective adoption of manufacturing standards aligned to Collins strategic objectives.

This role is onsite and can be based in either Cedar Rapids, IA or Phoenix, AZ or Charlette, NC. While these are the preferred locations, we are open to considering other Collins sites that this position regularly interacts with. This role may also be eligible for relocation assistance. This role may have up to 20% travel.

What You Will Do

Contribute to the creation, improvement, and maintenance of manufacturing standards, processes, work instructions, and related documentation.

Support alignment of manufacturing standards with digital transformation initiatives, including MES, PLM, and digital work instruction platforms.

Assist in developing workforce capability models, skills matrices, certification criteria, and technical training processes.

Evaluate current manufacturing practices to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Provide technical expertise in modern manufacturing methods and digital tools.

Support implementation of standard processes, tooling strategies, and manufacturing capability improvements across sites.

Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure consistent deployment of manufacturing best practices.

Contribute to team planning, continuous improvement activities, and roadmap execution.

What You Will Learn

Become familiar with Collins Aerospace sites, products, and manufacturing processes. Work cohesively with others of different backgrounds in the Advanced Operations Engineering and other organizations. You will gain technical leadership experience through mentorship opportunities and exposure to real-world situations that will help advance your career. Learn new skills or sharpen existing skills through learning tools and other development opportunities.

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 Experience developing or maintaining standard work, manufacturing processes, and technical documentation. Strong understanding of manufacturing methods (assembly, machining, electronics, testing, or similar). Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (ACE, Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent).

Qualifications We Prefer

We Prefer Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related discipline). Experience in aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments. Background supporting technical training, workforce development, or capability modeling. Experience with DFM, PFMEA, control plans, and validation processes. Experience supporting cross-functional standardization or modernization initiatives. Experience supporting new equipment deployment. Experience partnering with IT or Operational Technology (OT) for connectivity support.

Additional Skills

We Value Demonstrated ability to support process improvements and operational readiness. Ability to work with cross-functional teams across multiple sites. Strong communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills. Systems-thinking mindset with ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries.

What We Offer

• 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 illness insurance, 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.

Privacy Policy and Terms: 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.