Principal Systems Engineering Lead (Onsite) at RTX · Windsor…

Principal Systems Engineering Lead (Onsite) Location: US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B1 ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 1 Date Posted: 2026-05-07 Country: United States of America Location: US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B1 ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 1 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62 Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required 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 Chula Vista, CA. 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. What You Will Do Lead systems engineering efforts for both existing product support and new product development on military and commercial propeller-driven aircraft platforms. Activities include: 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. Domestic and international travel is required to support suppliers, customers, and aircraft operators (less than 20%) Must Have Qualifications 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 Preferred Qualifications 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 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! WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE. Our Advanced Structures team leverages advanced materials and additive manufacturing to develop complex interior and exterior solutions. These solutions ensure structural integrity of the aircraft, help aircraft take off and land, stay trim in the air, move forward, carry cargo and conduct rescues. We delight our customers with superior products and best-in-class service. Our global team is committed to continuous improvement – we work hard to make our solutions lighter-weight, stronger and more technically advanced, so that plane travel can be safer, more affordable and more sustainable in the years to come. We are looking for the best and brightest to fly and land with us! * Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role. Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings. 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. 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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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. Privacy Policy and Terms: Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms