Principal Structural Analysis Engineer - Fire Protection (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Wilson (NC); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) plan

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a seasoned Senior Structural Analysis Engineer to lead FEA and structural analysis for fire protection systems. You will predict performance, guide design decisions, and ensure regulatory compliance through simulations and hand calculations.

The role requires strong experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NX Nastran), solid mechanics knowledge, and excellent communication. Hybrid onsite in US, with collaboration across design, test and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree with 8+ years of experience or advanced degree with 5+ years.
• Proficiency with commercial FEA software (ANSYS Workbench preferred; Abaqus/NX Nastran acceptable).
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics and engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, guide, and perform structural analysis tasks including FEA and hand calculations.
• Perform linear and nonlinear FEA to evaluate stress, strain, deformation and failure modes.
• Conduct static, dynamic, thermal, fatigue, and vibration analyses as needed for projects.
• Collaborate with design, test, and manufacturing to optimize product performance and reduce test cycles.
• Provide clear engineering recommendations based on analysis results and present findings to stakeholders.
• Validate simulation outcomes with test data and refine models.
• Create and maintain analysis documentation and reports.
• Support development of analysis methodologies, standards and best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers in structural mechanics and FEA practices.

Skills

Structural analysis

Communication

Technical writing

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

Abaqus

NX Nastran

Job description

Location: US-NC-WILSON-4200 ~ 4200 Airport Dr ~ BLDG 4200

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Hybrid

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.

Replaces Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

Fire Protection Systems is seeking a highly skilled engineer with strong expertise in finite element analysis, structural analysis, vibration (harmonic and random vibration), and shock analysis to support the design, development, and validation of mechanical components and systems.

The ideal candidate will use advanced simulation tools to predict product performance, guide design decisions, and ensure structural integrity, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

What You Will Do:

• Coordinate, guide, and perform structural analysis tasks including FEA and classical/hand calculations.
• Perform linear and nonlinear FEA to evaluate stress, strain, deformation, and failure modes of components and assemblies.
• Conduct static, dynamic, thermal, fatigue, and vibration analyses as required for project needs.
• Collaborate with design, test, and manufacturing teams to optimize product performance and reduce physical test cycles.
• Provide clear engineering recommendations based on analysis results and present findings to cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Validate simulation outcomes through correlation with test data and refine analytical models as necessary.
• Create and maintain documentation, including analysis plans and technical reports.
• Support the development, improvement, and documentation of analysis methodologies, standards, and best practices.
• Mentor less experienced structural analysis engineers in structural mechanics, finite element analysis best practices, and advanced analysis methodologies.

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 commercial FEA software (ANSYS Workbench preferred but Abaqus, NX Nastran, or similar software is acceptable).
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics, structural load path, materials behavior, and engineering fundamentals.
• Experience analyzing complex geometries and assemblies.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills.

Qualifications You Prefer:

• Master’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or any relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with scripting and automation tools (Python, MATLAB, VBA, APDL, etc.).
• Experience leading or guiding mechanical analysis teams as a subject matter expert or related level of responsibilities.
• Familiarity with CAD software (Creo, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, etc.).
• Experience with nonlinear analysis, fatigue analysis, harmonic & random vibration analysis, damage tolerance, and fracture mechanics.
• Experience creating script for numerical methods, pre‑processing, and post‑processing automation.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test data.

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 coverageOptional 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.