Sr. Principal Engr, Project Engineering - Program Chief Engineer - Fire Protection (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-06-23



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.

Collins Aerospace – Fire Protection Systems (FPS) is looking to hire a Sr. Principal Program Chief Engineer to join our design engineering team to support strategic alignment and execution within our portfolio, products and/or technologies to ensure they align to our business and customer needs.  A Program Chief may support the business in the following areas:

Work with OE or Aftermarket Program Managers to prepare engineering bids to support Request for Information (RFI) or Request for Proposal (RFP) on new business opportunities.  These will typically be in the pre-award time-phase and will collaborate with the Program Management Team to ensure bid aligns with our business requirements.  Post-award may continue to be supported by Program Chief Engineer, or will be handed off and led by a discipline Project Engineer for development activities. Serve as the technical project manager for key strategic projects.  Identification of projects may be by business impact or criticality. While working closely with the Program Management Team, serve as a Technical Face of the Business to our customers. Participate in engineering strategic financial planning activities at a FPS Engineering Portfolio level
Visibility to FPS and Vision Sensing Systems (VSS) Engineering Director and FPS General Manager (GM)

A Program Chief Engineer is not a manager of engineers.  Rather, they work closely with our engineering resource managers, discipline chiefs, domain experts and engineering team to execute to the needs of Engineering and cross-functional Program Management teams.

What You Will Do:

• Provide technical expertise and direction with regards to bid support, detail planning, analysis, design, implementation, and verification.

• Lead pursuits/bids for proposals and/or customer requested budgetary estimates. 

• Work with the Program Manager to create and maintain estimates of schedule, budget and staffing while ensuring the project remains on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with customer needs and internal processes and procedures. 

• Understand risks and cost variances and assist in the development of mitigation plans.  

• Participate in and coordinate peer review of engineering documentation and design reviews. 

• Communicate with internal and external customers, report program status, key performance metrics, and discuss of program issues and concerns.  

• Oversee Fire Protection product development, including staffing and reuse of existing products.  

• Report overall engineering performance, including areas of Earned Value Management (EVM) and Risk Management. 

• Analyze data and determine appropriate actions to correct real problems before they impact overall program. 

• Work with the military and commercial customers in a professional manner.

• Participate in Fire Protection Strategic Planning to align Engineering goals and objectives with Business needs 

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

• Demonstrated proven project engineering and design engineering skills and experience 

• Experienced with detailed project execution planning and management, progress assessment, and mitigation execution for engineering development programs.  

• Demonstrates communication skills with the customer, and be effective to expressing status, metrics, issues/concerns, and successes. 

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience in coordinating bids for engineering development programs, including WBS task generation, scope identification, budget and schedule estimating, risk identification, and dependency identification.  

• Demonstrates leadership skills and an ability/desire to work in a team environment, establish working relationships with peers and co-workers, and effectively serve as the primary engineering representative for the program. 

• Familiarity with Scrum / Agile project management.

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 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!  

Learn More & Apply Now!​

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.

*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

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 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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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