Principal Engineer, Product Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:
2026-02-24
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-IL-ROCKFORD-P6 ~ 4747 Harrison Ave ~ 4747 HARRISON AVE-P6
Position Role Type:
Onsite
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Security Clearance Type:
None/Not Required
Security Clearance Status:
Not Required

Collins Aerospace is one of the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products. ISR & Space Systems is a business unit within Collins and our products reside in deep space, low earth orbit, undersea and on the ground. We are also a major supplier to international space programs. The ISR & Space Systems business has contributed to significant advances in ground, air, space and imaging technology for over 85 years. Within ISR & Space Systems we design and manufacture Environmental Control and Life Support Systems on the International Space Station, including the space suit, and undersea in submarines.

Collins Space & Defense Rockford is seeking a manufacturing engineer with electro-mechanical background and experience in auxiliary power and/or mechanical actuation products.

The ideal candidate will be an independent worker requiring minimal oversight, have excellent attention to detail and the creativity to provide innovative solutions to complex manufacturing issues.

Key responsibilities include development of specific methods and instructions for manufacture and/or assembly of products; Determination of manufacturing feasibility to: Identify potential fabrication problems; Draw attention to special fabrication requirements and ensure the new technologies are considered in the design phase where feasible and proven.

What You Will Do

• Overseeing and providing technical review of production builds on the shop floor
• Reviewing hardware to determine needed reworks and repairs for used hardware, and analyzing and interpreting required hardware specifications
• Provide analysis and investigations of defects found during the manufacturing process and how to correct them
• Support new program proposals by estimating Manufacturing Engineering tasks, tooling costs and supporting development of manufacturing plans
• Establish touch labor cost targets on shop/lab activities as requested
• Define tool and gage requirements & provide the necessary input and support to the tool design group
• Provide the necessary input and support to the tool design group
• Ensure adequate tools and gages are available when needed in the process
• Provide support to all activities during the fabrication of the initial unit (first article) of each specific design to resolve processing problems
• Review and implement engineering changes to determine feasibility, producibility and delta labor impact
• Determine, implement and lead process improvement opportunities, business unit initiatives and corrective actions
• Lead efforts to understand non-conformances and reduce Cost of Poor Quality
• Lead 3P events, Value Stream Mapping events, and the implementation of Process Certification
• Investigate and test new technologies for applicability studies as they relate to our products
• Establish tolerances and machine specifications support for production area
• Create and maintain product routings in SAP
• Create and maintain Job Instruction Sheets to support production

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

Qualifications We Prefer

• Electrical or mechanical degree
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of the SAP or similar Enterprise Requirements Planning system
• Process improvement experience (CORE toolset or Lean Manufacturing)
• Experience with additive manufacturing
• Experience with configuring, integrating, troubleshooting applications.
• Experience with Atlassian/Jira toolset for task management.
• Experience with Test Driven Development
• Desire to work and thrive in a team environment and willingness to learn and expand experiences

What We Offer Benefits

Some of our competitive benefits packages include:

• 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!

Maybe eligible for relocation

Learn More & Apply Now!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions - whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you'll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customers succeed today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

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.

*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.

Safety sensitive This position is considered safety sensitive in accordance with FAA Guidelines. Candidate will be subject to drug and alcohol testing per FAA's regulation 14 CFR part 120, as well as 49 CFR part 40.

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.

Apply now and be part of the team that's redefining aerospace, every day.

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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.

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