Associate Director, Validation Engineering - South Region; Onsite

Job Overview

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. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power systems.

The Associate Director, Validation Engineering is responsible for leading a multilevel organization supporting Assembly, Test, and Analysis across Connecticut and Florida. This role oversees frontline supervisors and engineering teams performing development, rig, and production test activities. The leader will ensure technical excellence, strong discipline health, effective resource planning, and alignment with both commercial and military program domains.

• Lead and develop a distributed Validation Engineering organization, including supervisors and technical staff.
• Provide strategic and technical direction for development, rig, and production test operations.
• Align Validation Engineering capabilities with commercial and/or military program needs through active engagement in planning and forecasting.
• Advance discipline health through engineering standards, technical rigor, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and execute outsourcing strategies, including planning, work package definition, supplier integration, and performance oversight.
• Support an environment that keeps employees connected, informed, and able to perform effectively across locations.
• Drive talent planning, staffing models, and skill development pathways to maintain long‑term readiness.
• Coordinate with key engineering partners to support timely issue resolution and ensure test execution meets schedule, cost, and performance commitments.
• Ensure compliance with engineering processes, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Drive integrated program collaboration to maintain strong communication, align resources, ensure milestone visibility, reinforce understanding of program priorities, and strengthen a disciplined, validation‑driven culture across the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, or related field).
• 10+ years of engineering experience with significant exposure to test, validation, or related disciplines.
• Experience supporting commercial and/or military program environments.
• 12+ years of engineering experience with significant exposure to test, validation, or related disciplines, or 10+ years with an advanced degree.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Management.
• Experience in Assembly, Test, and Analysis engineering environments.
• Background in test operations, instrumentation, or facility support.
• Experience developing and managing outsourced engineering work packages.
• Strong communication, cross‑site leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

• Relocation Package
• Salary range: 157,200 USD – 298,800 USD
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays.

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.