Senior Composites Engineer (Onsite)

Pratt & Whitney; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation eligible

Benefits package

Job summary

Pratt & Whitney is seeking a Composites Engineer in East Hartford, CT to support military engine programs. You will help design composite fan components, perform FE analyses, and guide manufacturing and testing efforts within the CIMA-oriented team.

This role requires DoD Secret clearance, U.S. citizenship, and a path to maintain clearance. Expect collaboration on IPTs, mentoring of junior staff, and travel about 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years in Defense/Aerospace or related industries.
• Advanced Degree with 3+ years of experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Design/structures engineering for composite components within an IPT.
• Provide design and structural analysis across conceptual to detail phases.
• Select materials, laminate architecture, and CAD models for tests.
• Perform FE analysis on various ply-based models to meet requirements.
• Assist in supplier manufacturing process development and documentation.
• Support military engines and apply CORE tools within the team.
• Mentor developing engineers and travel ~10%.

Skills

Mentoring

Teamwork

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

NX CAD

Altair HyperMesh

Ansys Workbench

Job description

Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-ETC ~ 400 Main St ~ BLDG ETC

Date Posted: 2026-07-14

Country: United States of America

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

Pratt & Whitney’s Military Composites team within Compression Systems Engineering (CSE) is currently seeking a highly‑motivated Composites Engineer to support all military engine programs. In this role, you will support CIMA (Composites, Impact, Manufacturing and Analysis) with technology, design development, definition, production, and aftermarket phases for composite fan components on a mix of operational military engines and advanced engine development programs.

What You Will Do

• Function as a design/structures engineer for composite components, working on an Integrated Product Team (IPT) and participating in projects aimed at crafting and implementing designs that meet advanced engine‑specific requirements.
• Provide design and/or structural analysis support throughout conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases, including validation, certification, manufacturing, and operational service.
• Select materials, determine laminate architecture, generate detail/assembly‑level CAD models, and design sub‑element components for empirical testing.
• Perform finite element analysis of homogeneous solid, layered shell, and layered solid (ply‑by‑ply) models to ensure compliance with engine hardware requirements and structural testing correlation/validation.
• Assist in manufacturing process development at suppliers and ensure the manufacturability of component designs, documenting and presenting results to management and external customers.
• Support Military Engines, advanced engine designs, and the installed base of engines, applying CORE (Customer Oriented Results & Excellence) tools within the Composites Organization.
• Mentor and coach developing engineers on the team.
• Travel: Approximately 10% travel is anticipated.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years’ relevant experience in Defense/Aerospace or related industries, OR
• Advanced Degree in a related field and 3+ 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

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Advanced Degree in Engineering.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance.
• CAD Software experience (e.g., NX, FiberSIM, TeamCenter).
• CAE Software experience (e.g., Altair HyperMesh, Ansys MAPDL, Ansys Workbench/ACP, Abaqus, Nastran, Patran, NX Simcenter).
• Familiarity with non‑destructive testing methods for composites.
• Mechanical design experience, e.g., bolted/mechanically fastened joints, GD&T, tolerance stack‑up methodology, beam/plate theory, CLT, general hand calculations.
• Hands‑on composites manufacturing experience using hand‑layup, autoclave, compression molding, RTM, VARTM, and/or SQRTM techniques.
• Knowledge of composite technology including design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing/characterization processes.
• Familiarity with advanced textile design and manufacturing.
• Demonstrated strong problem‑solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
• A track record of delivering positive results in a multi‑functional team environment.

What We Offer

Relocation eligibility is available.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including 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. 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 the position is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. This role is a U.S.-based role; if the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits apply.

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.