Sr Materials & Process Engineer

Collins Aerospace; Wilson (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) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance and disability coverage

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks an experienced engineer to lead surface finishing and chemical processing development onsite in the US. You will guide coating, bonding, and curing processes while ensuring quality and compliance across operations.

The role emphasizes root‑cause analysis, process optimization, and collaboration with Manufacturing, QA, and Design Engineering to drive continuous improvement and successful product readiness.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Materials Science or Chemistry with 5+ years experience, or an advanced degree with 3+ years.
• Direct experience with chemical processing operations (cleaning, pickling, passivation, chromate, anodizing).
• Direct experience with surface finishing processes (paint, coatings, sealants, masking, 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, chemical processing, and bonding; establish process controls and acceptance criteria.
• Troubleshoot adhesion, coating thickness, cure, and environmental-related issues.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Design Engineering to investigate nonconformances and root causes.
• Develop and standardize processes to improve yield, quality, throughput and material utilization.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap and process variation.
• Create and maintain process specifications, work instructions, and control plans.
• Support qualification of new materials, suppliers, and processes.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for process defects.
• Support new product introduction, PFMEA, and production readiness.

Skills

Surface finishing

Chemical processing

Adhesive bonding

Root-cause analysis

Process optimization

DOE/ SPC

Education

Engineering/Materials Science/Chemistry degree

Tools

SEM

EDS

CT scan

Fatigue testing

Corrosion analysis

Job description

Location:

US-NC-WILSON-4200 ~ 4200 Airport Dr ~ BLDG 4200

Date Posted:

2026-08-21

Country:

United States of America

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.

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 correctives.
• 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:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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
• 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!

May be eligible for relocation.

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.

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.

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 attend select 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 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.

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.