Sr. Principal Engr, Project Engineering - Program Chief Engineer - Fire Protection (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-06-23

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-NC-WILSON-4200 ~ 4200 Airport Dr ~ BLDG 4200

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

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.

Collins Aerospace – Fire Protection Systems (FPS) is looking to hire a Sr. Principal Program Chief Engineer to join our design engineering team to support strategic alignment and execution within our portfolio, products and/or technologies to ensure they align to our business and customer needs.  A Program Chief may support the business in the following areas:

Work with OE or Aftermarket Program Managers to prepare engineering bids to support Request for Information (RFI) or Request for Proposal (RFP) on new business opportunities.  These will typically be in the pre-award time-phase and will collaborate with the Program Management Team to ensure bid aligns with our business requirements.  Post-award may continue to be supported by Program Chief Engineer, or will be handed off and led by a discipline Project Engineer for development activities. Serve as the technical project manager for key strategic projects.  Identification of projects may be by business impact or criticality. While working closely with the Program Management Team, serve as a Technical Face of the Business to our customers. Participate in engineering strategic financial planning activities at a FPS Engineering Portfolio level
Visibility to FPS and Vision Sensing Systems (VSS) Engineering Director and FPS General Manager (GM)

A Program Chief Engineer is not a manager of engineers.  Rather, they work closely with our engineering resource managers, discipline chiefs, domain experts and engineering team to execute to the needs of Engineering and cross-functional Program Management teams.

What You Will Do:

• Provide technical expertise and direction with regards to bid support, detail planning, analysis, design, implementation, and verification.

• Lead pursuits/bids for proposals and/or customer requested budgetary estimates. 

• Work with the Program Manager to create and maintain estimates of schedule, budget and staffing while ensuring the project remains on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with customer needs and internal processes and procedures. 

• Understand risks and cost variances and assist in the development of mitigation plans.  

• Participate in and coordinate peer review of engineering documentation and design reviews. 

• Communicate with internal and external customers, report program status, key performance metrics, and discuss of program issues and concerns.  

• Oversee Fire Protection product development, including staffing and reuse of existing products.  

• Report overall engineering performance, including areas of Earned Value Management (EVM) and Risk Management. 

• Analyze data and determine appropriate actions to correct real problems before they impact overall program. 

• Work with the military and commercial customers in a professional manner.

• Participate in Fire Protection Strategic Planning to align Engineering goals and objectives with Business needs 

Qualifications You Must Have:

• 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

• Demonstrated proven project engineering and design engineering skills and experience 

• Experienced with detailed project executi