Principal Mechanical Engineer - Hardware Technologies (Onsite)

Hardware FYI; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) plan with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead hardware design across the full life cycle for aerospace and defense systems, from concept through production.

This onsite role requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance. You will apply EMI/TEMPEST, GD&T, and producibility practices while collaborating with program teams to deliver reliable, manufacturable hardware and meet cost and schedule targets.

Qualifications

• Experience designing hardware from concept through production.
• Mechanical design, product development, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Designing hardware to meet EMI and TEMPEST requirements.
• Ability to read detailed drawings and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, implement, integrate, and test mechanical hardware.
• Solve complex problems using engineering judgment and ingenuity.
• Collaborate with SMEs on thermal and structural analysis.
• Participate in internal and external peer reviews and program meetings.
• Provide support to testing, subcontractors, and the factory.
• Apply RTX/mechanical engineering standards and processes.
• Contribute to drawing generation, release, and changes.
• Coordinate with Program Management, Systems Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Manage cost and schedule for tasks.
• Work independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Leverage new tools and methodologies to improve efficiency.

Skills

Mechanical design

Product development

Thermal analysis

GD&T

DFM/DFP

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CREO

SolidWorks

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-02

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-E01 ~ 2000 E El Segundo Blvd ~ BLDG E01

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

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Resilient Connectivity Products (RCP) Hardware Technologies department is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer with technical expertise and experience in hardware design, analysis, integration and production support. In this position, the candidate will be responsible for developing technical solutions to a wide range of complex problems related to the entire product life cycle, including proposal, design, manufacture, integration, and test of various types of electronic systems, enclosures, and module assemblies for aerospace and defense applications. The candidate will work with minimal direction or supervision while exercising considerable latitude in determining the technical objectives of the assignment.

This position requires onsite presence in El Segundo, CA. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position will require the ability to access U.S. only data systems.

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

What You will do:

• You will perform design, documentation, implementation, integration, and test of mechanical hardware in accordance with system requirements
• You will solve complex technical problems that require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity while applying sound technical judgment.
• You will collaborate with subject matter experts to support thermal and structural analysis.
• You will conduct and participate in internal and external peer reviews, technical meetings, and program meetings.
• You will provide support to testing, subcontractors, and the factory.
• You will ensure the consistent application of mechanical engineering best practices and follow common standards in accordance with RTX processes.
• You will execute as part of a small team during product development, drawing generation, drawing release, and drawing change incorporation.
• You will actively work with Program Management, Systems Engineering, Supply Chain, Customers, and other disciplines to develop and manage objectives and requirements for hardware pursuits and projects.
• You will manage to cost and schedule requirements of assigned tasks.
• You will work both independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse team.
• You will leverage new technologies, methodologies, tools, and processes used in industry to optimize hardware development, integration, and test efficiencies.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Experience designing and developing hardware, ranging from concept definition through detailed design and transition to production or product support.
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical design, product development, material selection, and manufacturing processes
• Experience designing hardware to meet EMI and TEMPEST compliance requirements
• Experience reading detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and a detailed understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing.
• 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.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is preferred prior to start date.
• Proficiency with CREO, Solidworks or similar CAD tool.
• Experience designing machined parts, including appropriate material selection, tolerancing, and consideration of machining capabilities and limitations.
• Experience in mechanical systems packaging, materials, thermal, and structural analysis.
• Experience applying design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-producibility (DFP)
• Experience in mechanical design and development of multi-layer digital, analog, and RF circuit card assemblies.
• Experience in interconnect design techniques between components, modules, chassis, and subsystems.
• Experience in cooling techniques for circuit cards and chassis.
• Experience in design support for Special Test Equipment and tooling required for IV&V and production efforts.
• Experience with developing environmental qualification test plans.
• Professional exposure to Earned Value Management System (EVMS) or similar cost and schedule tracking system.
• Knowledgeable in quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.
• Experience as a Mechanical Lead Design Engineer or Integrated Product Team Lead.
• Experience in proposal and cost estimation support of Hardware pursuits.

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 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!

Mission Systems:

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role.

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.

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.

#MISENG

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 118,300 USD - 224,900 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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