Senior Principal Project Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-06-05

Country:

United States of America

Location:

HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

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:

None/Not Required

We are looking for a Senior Principal Project Engineer with authoritative expertise in soldering processes and automated inspection systems (AOI, AXI, SPI) for the manufacturing of circuit card assemblies (CCAs). This role provides strategic and technical leadership across multiple sites and projects, overseeing and executing the deployment of soldering platforms (reflow, selective, wave) and the integration of high-resolution inspection and traceability solutions. This senior technical leader will manage high capital / high complexity projects through all development stages, through manufacturing production release, while demonstrating hands-on subject matter expertise in ground-up manufacturing processes and automation designs. The individual must demonstrate a great understanding of performance measures and quality criteria, and will coordinate the involvement of Operations, Quality, Engineering, Design, Programs, and other key resources early in product development lifecycles to influence improved product designs, yields, and costs. Ensuring effective and transparent communication with both internal and external stakeholders of each program is key to the success of the role. The role requires participation in leading efforts to new business capture teams, development of business cases, establishment of baseline plans, mentoring of less experienced professionals, and transition process responsibility, including management of Operations functions in a matrixed environment.

What You Will Do:

• Serves as liaison between Operations, Facilities, EHS, Program Management, Design Engineering, Digital Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Quality Engineering for automation initiative business cases development and proposals with no oversight.

• Provide great levels of visibility through effective documentation and presentation skills at the different levels of the organization, including the executive level.

• Lead involvement in the development of cell designs and footprint/layout plans at target locations for the different initiatives.

• Act as the primary NPI contact to the Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Systems teams to coordinate the proliferation of technologies through NPI transition into full-rate production.

• In-depth knowledge of the various aspects of engineering design, product development, design to cost (DTC), design for manufacture (DFM), design for testability (DFT), and product prototyping processes.

• Ensure Operations considerations, such as producibility, testability, design to cost, component obsolescence, and other factors, are considered as part of new automation initiatives and early in the design development process.

• Successfully leads or coordinates cross-functional trade studies that drive increased customer value and company profitability.

• Accountable for the quality of new designs relative to compatibility with the target manufacturing process and site capabilities.

• Support activities involving variability reduction to identify and mitigate process and product risk (DFMEA, PFMEA, etc.).

• Work as liaison with Test Engineering groups regarding future automation strategies and ensure the development of Test Equipment for programs is incorporated effectively.

• Supports the development of program risk management plans, identifies operations risks in development and production, and proactively manages risk that impacts Operations using manufacturing/test technologies.

• Ensures quality, cost, schedule, and inventory goals are achieved in a manner consistent with the overall business plan, capital expenditures, and annual operating plans.

• Strives for 100% internal and external customer satisfaction by understanding the customer's needs and providing goods and services that satisfy the customer.

• Leads continuous improvement practices using CORE and Lean Electronics tools and methods proactively in the execution of projects and programs.

• Leads cross-training initiatives and knowledge transfer for team members across experience levels to build domain expertise and support operational resilience.
• Supports leadership with the development and modification of new and existing procedures to capture tribal knowledge and increase team efficiency and standardization across the organization.

• Operates in accordance with Corporate, Operations, and Division policies and practices and in compliance with accepted business practices.

• Travel up to 40% as needed.

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.

• Electronics manufacturing background (SMT, Wave, AOI, SPI).

• Experience in soldering and inspection processes.

• Able/willing to travel as needed, 25-40% of the time.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering Degree.

• Advanced proficiency in applying Lean/Six Sigma or APQP principles.

• Engineering experience, Aerospace preferred.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Project and SAP or a similar ERP system.

• Experience with New Product Introductions is valued.

• Program/Project management experience.

• PMP Certification is valued.

• SMTA certification is valued.

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.

Learn More & Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace, an 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.

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.

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.

Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

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.

Apply now and be part of the team thats redefining aerospace, every day.

The salary range for this role is 124,000 USD - 250,000 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 candidates 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 companys 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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