Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer; onsite

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.

Location:

Fairfield, California;
Job Type: Onsite; U.S. citizenship required;
Security clearance:
None/Not Required.

• Leading manufacturing engineering efforts for energetic materials, components, and related processes, ensuring adherence to safety, regulatory, and facility standards.
• Serving as the technical lead for large‑scale, complex capital projects, including scope development, equipment specification, process design, factory layout, installation, commissioning, and qualification.
• Providing manufacturing engineering support for New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, including design‑for‑manufacturability, process development, prototype builds, and transitioning to low‑rate and full‑rate production.
• Developing and validating new manufacturing processes to ensure repeatability, capability, and alignment with quality and performance requirements.
• Leading or contributing to bid and proposal efforts, including manufacturing strategy development, cost estimation, risk identification, capital planning, and production scheduling.
• Collaborating with cross‑functional teams, including design engineering, program management, operations, safety, and quality, to drive technical decisions and resolve complex manufacturing challenges.
• Developing detailed process documentation, PFMEAs, control plans, and process qualifications for new or modified manufacturing systems.
• Mentoring junior and mid‑level manufacturing engineers to promote engineering excellence and knowledge of energetics manufacturing practices.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across processes, tooling, workflow, and facility infrastructure.
• Leading failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action development for significant manufacturing issues.
• Representing Manufacturing Engineering in internal and external audits, customer technical reviews, and cross‑functional program meetings.
• Support business travel up to 10%.

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 10 years of experience, or an advanced degree and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI), including design‑for‑manufacturability, process development, and transitioning products through the full lifecycle.
• Experience managing or supporting capital projects, including equipment specification, factory layout, and process qualification.
• Experience in regulated or complex sectors such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, or semiconductor fabrication.
• Experience in high‑mix manufacturing environments.
• Experience with energetic materials and related manufacturing processes and regulations.
• Experience presenting technical content and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Experience with Advanced Automation & Robotics (e.g., FANUC, KUKA, ABB) and high‑speed vision inspection systems.
• Experience with Control Systems: PLC, SCADA systems, and distributed control architecture.
• Experience with Smart…