Senior Principal Engineer, Structural Engineering (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) plan with employer 401

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer in Structural Engineering to lead repair design and structural analysis for nacelle components in an on-site role in Chula Vista, CA. You will guide cross-functional teams, meet FAA/EASA airworthiness requirements, and mentor engineers across the organization.

This senior technical position requires deep expertise in structural analysis, repair methods, and industry standards, with relocation assistance available and weekend rotation as

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years of experience, or advanced degree with 7+ years.
• Experience with repair analysis of aircraft metallic and/or composite structures.
• In-depth knowledge of maintenance, repair, overhaul, and regulatory requirements in commercial aircraft.
• Knowledge of load path, load balance, and hand analysis methods in aerospace structures.
• Expertise in finite element analysis using Patran/Nastran.

Responsibilities

• Perform and approve structural repair stress analyses for nacelle components.
• Develop analytical methods and engineering solutions for complex issues.
• Provide guidance on metallic and composite repair design for rapid return-to-service.
• Lead cross-functional teams and mentor engineers.
• Prioritize multiple requests to maintain service levels.

Skills

Structural analysis

Nacelle repair

Finite element analysis

FAA/EASA compliance

Leadership

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Patran/Nastran

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-10-08

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-CA-CHULA VISTA-B107 ~ 850 Lagoon Dr ~ BLDG 107, Mail Zone 1-C

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. The company will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

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.

We are seeking a Senior Principal Engineer, Structural Engineering to join our Aftermarket Technical Services organization. In this senior technical role, you will serve as an expert in nacelle repair design and structural analysis, providing rapid, compliant engineering solutions that minimize aircraft downtime on all Collins Aerostructures commercial nacelle hardware that are compliant with certified type design and airworthiness (FAA/EASA) requirements. You will guide cross‑functional teams, support airline customers on complex technical issues, improve engineering processes, and mentor engineers across the organization. This position requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership skills, and the ability to make timely engineering decisions in a fast‑paced customer‑support environment.

This position will be onsite in Chula Vista, CA. Relocation assistance is available. May be required to work weekends and holidays in rotation, as needed.

What You Will Do

• Perform and approve structural repair stress analyses for complex nacelle components, ensuring compliance with certified type design and FAA/EASA airworthiness standards
• Develop analytical methods and creative engineering solutions for complex technical issues that satisfy airline operational and maintenance requirements
• Provide expert guidance on metallic and composite repair design and make rapid engineering judgments and recommendations to support aircraft return‑to‑service
• Define strategies and approaches for repair analysis and productivity‑improvement initiatives
• Develop and refine standards, tools, and methods that strengthen consistency and efficiency across the engineering team
• Evaluate and optimize processes for addressing customer inquiries and resolving technical concerns
• Lead internal and customer‑facing efforts to respond quickly to complex questions and deliver approved repair solutions
• Prioritize and manage multiple customer requests to maintain service levels, responsiveness, and turnaround time commitments
• Lead teams to resolve customer issues, establish engineering standards, and advance repair methodologies
• Mentor, train, and support senior and junior engineers to build technical capability across the Repair Engineering organization
• Guide organizational initiatives to improve workflows, tools, standards, and technical best practices
• Partner with cross‑functional groups to support repair solutions, design updates, and engineering reviews

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• Experience with repair analysis of aircraft metallic and/or composite structures
• In-depth knowledge in technical understanding of maintenance, repair, overhaul, and regulatory requirements in the commercial aircraft industry
• Thorough understanding of load path, load balance, free body diagram and experience in classical hand analysis methods used in Aerospace structural analysis
• Expertise in finite element analysis of aircraft structure using Patran/Nastran (soln's 101, 106, 111)
• Firm working knowledge of Repairs methods

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in MRB and MRO repairs preferred
• Knowledge in Automation (Excel VBA & Visual Basic applications)
• Composite nacelle and exhaust repair experience
• Basic CATIA V and FiberSim skills
• Detailed understanding of nacelle systems
• Familiarity on specialty manufacturing processesfor aerospace components
• Capable of positively interacting in a team environment and have good listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to represent company in technical review meetings and have excellent customer relations and negotiating skills.
• Able to communicate and make presentations to internal and external customers and be driven to achieve customer satisfaction.
• Ability to serve as the key point of contact for internal and external customers on complex technical issues.
• Able to mentor other engineers and lead teams in the generation of standard work for repair development.
• Ability to work with all levels of maintenance, engineering, and management personnel.
• Experience with technical writing

What We Offer

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 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!

Maybe eligible for relocation

Our Advanced Structures team leverages advanced materials and additive manufacturing to develop complex interior and exterior solutions. These solutions ensure structural integrity of the aircraft, help aircraft take off and land, stay trim in the air, move forward, carry cargo and conduct rescues. We delight our customers with superior products and best-in-class service. Our global team is committed to continuous improvement – we work hard to make our solutions lighter-weight, stronger and more technically advanced, so that plane travel can be safer, more affordable and more sustainable in the years to come. We are looking for the best and brightest to fly and land with us!

* 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.

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 145,600 USD - 276,800 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.