Principal Systems Engineering Lead (Onsite)

RTX•Windsor Locks, CT

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Propeller Systems Engineering organization is seeking a customer-focused, technically strong Systems Engineering Team Lead to support both in-service propeller products and new product development. This role spans system design, validation, upgrade execution, and field support activities across military and commercial platforms. The position involves frequent collaboration with U.S. military customers, operators, maintainers, airframe manufacturers, engine manufacturers, and internal teams. The ideal candidate brings strong systems engineering expertise—systems architecture, modeling, requirements development and management, and verification & validation—along with the ability to guide a high-performing team through complex technical challenges. This is an onsite position in Windsor Locks, CT. It can be a hybrid role of 4 days onsite 1 day remote. Reporting to the Propeller Systems Windsor Locks site engineering manager, combining individual technical contribution with leadership of a small systems engineering team of 3-4 engineers. The Team Lead will oversee key engineering activities, support project proposal development, manage performance milestones, and ensure effective use of engineering resources to meet program objectives, but is not responsible for performance reviews and line managerial tasks. The Propeller System’s engineering organization in Windsor Locks is a small organization in comparison to many other product lines providing excellent opportunities for motivated engineers to work across multiple specialties supporting the full lifecycle of a product. In this role the systems team lead will directly influence the safety, reliability, and performance of propeller systems used across global military and commercial fleets.

Requirements

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
System Engineering experience

Nice To Haves

Aerospace experience
Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering
Control system design and testing including software preferred (with DO178)
Experience with hydraulic/mechanical control systems engineering development and service support
Engineering and RRCA investigations experience
Cyber Security familiarity or experience
Systems Safety Analysis experience
Management/leadership experience with ARP4754
Full life cycle experience as a systems engineer: systems architecture requirements development modeling and simulation/ verification and validation
Aircraft flight testing experience
Experience with MATLAB/Simulink
Experience with Doors or similar configuration management tools
Experience with diverse international teams

Responsibilities

Lead systems engineering efforts for both existing product support and new product development on military and commercial propeller-driven aircraft platforms.
Participating in and supporting customer technical meetings
Conducting systems-level investigations for field issues and manufacturing concerns, including root-cause identification and corrective action development
Identifying upgrade opportunities and problem-solving pathways
Leading software and hardware upgrade projects, including verification, validation, and certification activities
Supporting on-aircraft testing, integration, and troubleshooting
Coordinate propeller control and modeling development efforts with local and international engineering teams
Coordinate technical aspects of supplier designed equipment development through creation of specifications and evaluation of the results of verification/validation activities performed by a third party
Oversee and contribute to propeller systems architecture definition, modeling, requirements development, and verification/validation throughout all program phases
Perform systems analysis across the entire product lifecycle—from concept and design through fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and retirement
Lead technical planning, project execution, and systems engineering cost and risk assessments
Translate customer and system-level requirements into subsystem and component-level requirements and develop associated verification criteria and plans
Interface with internal stakeholders, external customers (including military organizations, powerplant manufacturers, and aircraft OEMs), and suppliers
Troubleshoot complex hydraulic, electronic, and mechanical systems to support fielded products and development programs
Oversee propeller engineering test rig upgrade and modernization programs to include sustainment of rigs used to support propeller development and investigations
Develop strategies and plans for requirements management, reliability, logistics, cross-functional communication, and performance evaluation for large or complex programs
Guide the team responsible for requirements processing, verification planning, and customer specification analysis
Recommend technology, resource, process, or system improvements to enhance program quality and execution
Collaborate regularly with engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams in both Windsor Locks, CT and Figeac, France.

Benefits

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!