Senior Principal Engineer, Structural Engineering (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation (or similar)

Generous 401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement program

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Job summary

RTX, a leading aerospace and defense company, seeks a Senior Principal Engineer, Structural Engineering for its Aftermarket Technical Services in Chula Vista, CA. You will lead repair analyses for nacelle components, guide cross-functional teams, and mentor engineers to deliver rapid, compliant solutions that minimize aircraft downtime.

This senior role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to make timely engineering decisions in a fast-paced customer-support

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 10+ years experience; OR advanced degree with 7+ years experience.
• Experience repairing aircraft metallic and/or composite structures.
• Knowledge of maintenance, repair, overhaul and regulatory requirements in commercial aviation.
• Experience with finite element analysis using Patran/Nastran.
• Strong communication and leadership; mentoring engineers.
• MRB/MRO repairs experience preferred.
• CATIA V and FiberSim familiarity.
• Understanding nacelle systems and aerospace manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform and approve structural repair stress analyses for nacelle components per FAA/EASA standards.
• Develop analytical methods for complex repair challenges and airline requirements.
• Provide guidance on metallic and composite repair design; quick return-to-service decisions.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams; drive productivity improvements.
• Develop and refine standards, tools, and methods for consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional groups on repair solutions and design updates.
• Prioritize multiple customer requests to maintain service levels.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Customer relations

Technical writing

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Patran/Nastran

Excel VBA

CATIA V

FiberSim

Job description

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

• 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
• 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 processes for 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