Principal Stress Engineer IV(Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Everett (WA); 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

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Principal Stress Engineer to support the design and certification of aircraft interior monuments, including lavatories, crew rests, galleys, and stowage units. You will lead structural analyses, develop FE models, and generate substantiation reports to ensure regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with design and certification teams, prepare test plans, and balance weight, manufacturability, and certification considerations.

Qualifications

• Eight years of relevant experience or five years with an advanced degree.
• Strong proficiency with finite element analysis methods and tools.
• Experience with NASTRAN, FEMAP, HyperMesh, Patran, Abaqus, or equivalent FEA software.
• Experience developing and validating interface loads for aircraft installations.
• Experience supporting structural testing and certification programs.
• Proven ability to write detailed technical reports and engineering substantiation documents.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses of aircraft interior monuments and interfaces.
• Develop and execute finite element models to evaluate strength, stiffness, durability.
• Generate and validate interface loads between monuments and primary structure.
• Conduct static and dynamic analyses for emergency landing, inertial, decompression, ground handling, turbulence.
• Support qualification and certification test programs with plans and procedures.
• Evaluate test results and reconcile analytics with test data.
• Author substantiation and certification reports and compliance findings.
• Collaborate with design, certification, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to resolve issues.

Skills

FEA proficiency

NASTRAN

FEMAP

HyperMesh

Patran

Abaqus

Education

B.S. in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

NASTRAN

FEMAP

HyperMesh

Patran

Abaqus

Job description

About the Company

At RTX, the world 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.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Stress Engineer to support the design and certification of aircraft interior monuments, including lavatories, crew rests, galleys, stowage units, closets, partitions, and other cabin furnishings. The successful candidate will be responsible for structural analysis, certification substantiation, and load development activities to ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements. This role requires strong expertise in finite element analysis (FEA) and the preparation of comprehensive technical documentation supporting aircraft certification programs.

What You Will Do

• Perform structural analyses of aircraft interior monuments and supporting aircraft interfaces.
• Develop and execute finite element models using industry-standard analysis tools to evaluate strength, stiffness, stability, and durability requirements.
• Generate and validate interface loads between monuments and aircraft primary structure.
• Perform static and dynamic analyses for:
  • Emergency landing conditions
  • Inertial loading events
  • Rapid decompression events
  • Ground handling and operational loads
  • Turbulence and flight load conditions
• Support qualification and certification test programs, including development of test plans, test procedures, and correlation activities.
• Evaluate test results and reconcile analytical predictions with physical test data.
• Author engineering substantiation reports, stress reports, certification documentation, and compliance findings.
• Collaborate closely with design engineers, certification specialists, manufacturing engineers, suppliers, and customers to resolve technical issues.
• Support design reviews and provide structural recommendations to optimize weight, manufacturability, and certification compliance.

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
• Strong proficiency with finite element analysis methods and tools.
• Experience with NASTRAN, FEMAP, HyperMesh, Patran, Abaqus, or equivalent FEA software.
• Experience developing and validating interface loads for aircraft installations.
• Experience supporting structural testing and certification programs.
• Proven ability to write detailed technical reports and engineering substantiation documents.
• Strong understanding of aircraft certification requirements and regulatory compliance processes.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Demonstrated experience analyzing aircraft interior monuments such as Lavatories, Galleys, Crew rests, Stowage compartments, Closets, and partitions
• Familiarity with FAA Part 25 and associated guidance material.
• Working knowledge of decompression, emergency landing, and inertial load requirements applicable to aircraft interiors.
• Knowledge of composite and metallic aircraft structures.
• Experience correlating finite element models with physical test results.
• Understanding of aircraft interior certification requirements, including monument attachment and restraint systems.

Salary and Benefits

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.

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!

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.

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

At Collins Aerospace, our Interiors team is focused on innovation, safety and cost efficiency. But we don’t just get people from point A to point B. We’re committed to making air travel more comfortable, connected and secure. As a leader in aviation interior products and services, we’re helping airlines and original equipment manufacturers create a positive experience for their customers. With offices and manufacturing facilities in more than 12 states across the U.S. and more than 10 countries around the globe, we’re changing the game of aircraft interiors. Are you ready to join our team? 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.

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.