Senior Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) plan with match

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Additional insurance options

Job summary

RTX Collins Aerospace in Rockford, IL is seeking a Senior Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer to design, build, validate and commission advanced test equipment for mechanical power systems powering military and commercial platforms.

The role requires leading cross‑functional teams, delivering test stands and equipment for gearboxes, pumps, and drives, and ensuring performance, reliability and cost effectiveness from concept through commissioning.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with minimum 5 years of relevant experience or a related advanced degree with 3 years experience, or 9 years in lieu of a degree.
• Experience designing mechanical rotating equipment and related systems.
• Experience designing hydraulic and fluid power circuits.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for 2D drafting and detailing.
• Experience with Siemens NX for 3D CAD modeling; SolidWorks also desirable.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system design, drawings, and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop test equipment and systems for the MPC suite.
• Lead all phases of test equipment development from fabrication to commissioning.
• Review test results and recommend design improvements to meet performance targets.
• Develop requirements for test stands, calibration, and maintenance.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure project execution.

Skills

Gearbox design

Test equipment optimization

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

STEM degree + experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

GD&T

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-12 Country: United States of America Location: US-IL-ROCKFORD-P1 ~ 2421 11th St ~ 2421 11TH ST-P1 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. We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer with a proven track record of designing, developing, and delivering advanced test equipment for complex mechanical power systems. The ideal candidate is an innovative engineering leader who thrives on solving challenging technical problems and driving projects from concept through design, build, validation, and commissioning. This individual will possess expertise in mechanical, hydraulic, thermodynamic, and power transmission systems, along with the ability to analyze test data, optimize equipment performance, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Success in this role requires strong collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams, exceptional project ownership, and a commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective test solutions that support mission‑critical military and commercial power conversion products.

What You Will Do

• Design and develop test equipment and systems for the Mechanical Power Conversion (MPC) suite of mechanical power generation, transmission, and distribution products supporting both military and commercial applications.
• Research, plan, design, and develop mechanical, thermodynamic, hydraulic, and power transmission test equipment for engineering, qualification, and production testing of engine- and aircraft‑mounted gearboxes, air turbine starters, main fuel pumps, integrated fuel pumps, and lube and scavenge pumps.
• Prepare and maintain detailed engineering drawings, schematics, diagrams, specifications, and technical documentation for test equipment designs.
• Lead all phases of test equipment development, including fabrication, assembly, checkout, verification, validation, commissioning, and system acceptance.
• Review and analyze test results against equipment design requirements, rated specifications, and test objectives, and recommend modifications or design improvements to achieve performance targets.
• Develop performance, maintenance, calibration, and operational requirements for test stands and associated equipment.
• Lead and participate in peer reviews of test equipment specifications, designs, concepts, components, and integrated systems.
• Collaborate independently and across cross‑functional teams, including Product Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations, to ensure successful project execution.
• Partner with the Quality Clinic and related departments to investigate field issues, support root‑cause analysis, and ensure product quality and reliability.
• Deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality standards, engineering specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Develop confidential proposals for test equipment and facility infrastructure projects, including scope, schedules, budgets, design, construction, and installation plans.
• Research, evaluate, analyze, and qualify improvements to machines, components, subsystems, manufacturing processes, test methods, and overall system designs.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies to manufacturing, testing, and transactional processes to enhance product quality, increase test efficiency, and reduce operational waste.

Qualifications

• You Must Have Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) unless prohibited by local laws/regulations and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience or in absence of a degree, 9 years of relevant experience.
• Qualifications We Prefer Experience designing mechanical rotating equipment and related systems.
• Experience designing hydraulic and fluid power circuits.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, preferably for 2D drafting and detailing.
• Experience using Siemens NX for 3D CAD modeling; experience with SolidWorks is also desirable.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system design, engineering drawings, and GD&T principles.
• Ability to troubleshoot, analyze, and optimize complex mechanical and test equipment systems.
• Experience supporting the design, validation, or commissioning of engineering test equipment is highly preferred.

Benefits

• 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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibilities. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

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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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.