Senior Principal Project Engineering Lead – Airborne SSPA Development (Onsite)

RTX•Richardson, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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 three market-leading businesses, world-class operations, and investments in research and development, RTX offers unparalleled capabilities and opportunities. Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions, helps redefine the aerospace and defense industry. This role is part of an integrated product team leadership team, focusing on Strategic Nuclear Deterrence. The company is seeking a Sr. Principal Project Engineer (P5) to drive the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of a next-generation Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) for a critical airborne defense platform. This position ensures technical execution, cross-discipline integration, and design maturity as the program transitions from detailed design into qualification, manufacturing readiness, and integration with the host platform.

Requirements

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.
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Previous experience leading engineering development within EMD or similar mid‑to‑late lifecycle program phases in defense or aerospace.
Previous experience working with RF systems, power electronics, or high‑power amplifier development.
Previous experience leading multi‑discipline teams through design release, integration, verification, and qualification.

Nice To Haves

Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and risk‑management skills.
Prior experience with SSPA development or high‑power RF subsystems for airborne platforms.
Familiarity with airborne environmental qualification standards (DO‑160/MIL-STD-810) and EMI/EMC (MIL-STD-461).
Experience with model‑based systems engineering or digital engineering workflows.
Background supporting EMD‑phase readiness reviews, audits, and platform integration activities.

Responsibilities

Lead all engineering activities for the EMD phase, including design finalization, integration, verification planning, qualification test readiness, and transition to low‑rate production.
Direct and coordinate multi‑disciplinary engineering teams across RF/power electronics, mechanical design, thermal management, systems engineering, and embedded software.
Ensure requirements traceability and configuration control as the design evolves through CDR, TRR, and qualification milestones.
Oversee development of EMD‑level documentation including interface control documents, test procedures, verification matrices, and design release packages.
Manage technical risk through structured risk charts, mitigation plans, design trades, and data‑driven decision making.
Drive producibility, reliability, and manufacturability improvements consistent with EMD objectives and downstream production needs.
Lead preparation and execution of environmental and functional qualification aligned with airborne standards and platform integration requirements.
Collaborate closely with program management, operations, supply chain, and manufacturing engineering to ensure smooth transition to assembly, integration, and test (AIT).
Maintain strong customer engagement through technical interchange meetings, EMD reviews, progress briefings, and issue resolution.

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
Eligible for relocation
Flexible spending accounts
Flexible work schedules
Employee Scholar Program
Paid time off
Holidays