Sr Materials & Process Engineer

Prattwhitney; Stoneybrook (NC); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) plan with employer matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, seeks a Sr. Materials & Process Engineer to lead material selection, qualification and process integration across the Wilson, NC site.

You will drive innovation in materials characterization and analysis to improve key performance metrics in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations and Design Engineering to investigate nonconformances, perform root-cause analyses, and implement corrective

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Engineering, Materials Science or Chemistry and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
• Direct experience with chemical processing operations, such as cleaning, pickling, passivation, chromate, anodizing, or related chemical surface treatments.
• Direct experience with surfacing finishing processes such as paint, coatings, sealants, masking, surface preparation or curing.
• Direct experience with chemical processing, adhesive bonding, or sealant processes.
• Direct experience with material characterization methods such as SEM, EDS, CT scan, fatigue testing or corrosion analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for surface finishing and chemical processing, establishing process parameters, controls and acceptance criteria.
• Troubleshoot issues involving adhesion, coating thickness, cure, contamination and surface preparation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations and Design Engineering to investigate nonconformances and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and standardize processes to improve yield, quality and throughput; lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support qualification of new materials, suppliers, application methods, equipment and processes.

Skills

Surface finishing

Chemical processing

Material characterization

Root-cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Education

Engineering, Materials Science or Chemistry degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

SEM

EDS

CT scan

PFMEA

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-21 Country: United States of America Location: US-NC-WILSON-4200 ~ 4200 Airport Dr ~ BLDG 4200 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.

May be eligible for relocation.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Sr. Materials & Process Engineer to provide technical leadership for material selection, qualification and process integration across the manufacturing site. Operating in a fast‑paced environment, this role is responsible for driving innovation in materials characterization and analysis in support of driving key initiatives that improve critical performance metrics.

What You Will Do:

Provide technical leadership for surface finishing (paint, coatings, sealants), chemical processing (cleaning, pickling, passivation, chromate, etc), and bonding processes, including surface preparation, masking, application, curing, and sealing; establish and maintain critical process parameters, controls, acceptance criteria, and monitoring methods. Support troubleshooting of issues involving adhesion, coating thickness, cure, contamination, surface preparation, bond strength, defects, appearance, and environmental conditions. Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Operations and Design Engineering to investigate nonconformances, escapes, and process variation, performing root‑cause analysis and implementing corrective actions. Develop, optimize, qualify, and standardize processes to improve yield, quality, throughput, material utilization, and cost. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and process variation. Develop and maintain process specifications, work instructions, process controls, and manufacturing best practices. Support qualification of new materials, suppliers, application methods, equipment, and processes. Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for process‑related defects and nonconformances. Support new product introduction, process validation, PFMEA, control plans, and production readiness. Ensure processes comply with applicable customer, regulatory, environmental, safety, and industry requirements.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Engineering, Materials Science or Chemistry and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
• Direct experience with chemical processing operations, such as cleaning, pickling, passivation, chromate, anodizing, or related chemical surface treatments.
• Direct experience with surfacing finishing processes such as paint, coatings, sealants, masking, surface preparation or curing.
• Direct experience with chemical processing, adhesive bonding, or sealant processes.
• Direct experience with material characterization methods such as SEM, EDS, CT scan, fatigue testing or corrosion analysis.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Aerospace, defense or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• AS9100, Nadcap, FAA, or other aerospace quality and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in production support environment.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies.
• Experience with DOE, SPC, statistical analysis, or other advanced process.

What We Offer:

• 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 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.

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.

Operations, Supply Chain and EH&S:

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide. Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE. *Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to 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.