Senior Principal Engineer, Project Engineering (Hybrid)

Date Posted:
2026-10-15


Country:
United States of America


Location:
US-IL-ROCKFORD-P1 ~ 2421 11th St ~ 2421 11TH ST-P1


Position Role Type:
Hybrid


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
We are seeking a Senior Principal Engineer – Project Engineering to provide strategic leadership and oversee the execution of medium-to-large, multi-year aerospace engineering programs. This role drives project planning, technical execution, hardware development, testing, budget management, and program delivery while ensuring alignment with customer requirements, business objectives, and organizational priorities. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical and project leadership expertise to manage complex initiatives, mitigate risks, optimize resources, and drive cross-functional teams toward successful program outcomes.
What You Will Do
Lead complex, multi-year engineering projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with program objectives, contractual requirements, schedules, budgets, and delivery commitments.
Establish and oversee integrated project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics, leveraging Earned Value Management System (EVMS) data to assess progress, identify variances, and drive informed decisions.
Align engineering, project management, planning, production, and leadership teams to support program execution, resolve complex challenges, and achieve strategic objectives.
Proactively identify program risks, evaluate potential impacts, and lead mitigation and corrective action strategies to protect cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.
Drive cost efficiency, resource optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project performance and business profitability.
Oversee hardware development, configuration control, equipment modifications, engineering documentation, and design release activities throughout the product lifecycle.
Provide oversight of engineering test activities, including test planning, procedure development, results analysis, and verification of product and customer requirements.
Lead project reviews, monitor program performance, ensure adherence to engineering standards and processes, and establish best practices to improve execution and operational effectiveness.
Support new business pursuits through project planning, technical execution strategies, schedule development, and budget estimation.
Present program status, risks, financial performance, and strategic recommendations to engineering leadership and key stakeholders to facilitate alignment and decision-making.
Qualifications You Must Have
Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) unless prohibited by local laws/regulations and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
Qualifications We Prefer
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Experience in the aerospace or defense industry, particularly with aerospace test equipment, high-performance engine systems, or complex hardware programs.
Experience with project scheduling, budgeting, and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), including management of project budgets exceeding 10 million.
Experience developing and managing Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) using Microsoft Project.
Knowledge of mechanical systems, including gearing, motion control, rotational mechanics, and mechanical design principles.
Understanding of engineering materials, manufacturing processes, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
Experience with mechanical systems integration in aerospace or defense applications.
Familiarity with test planning, execution, and reporting processes.
Experience with LabVIEW, Visual Basic, or similar programming and test automation tools.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
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!
Learn More & Apply Now!
We make modern flight possible for millions of travelers and our military every second. Our major product lines are on-board virtually every aircraft flying. Be it keeping passengers safe with our emergency power generation systems or creating a positive in flight experience through reliable cabin pressure controls and quieter engines, Power & Controls focuses on delivering a best-in-class experience to our customers. We hire the top people in the industry. Their ideas drive our performance, and their integrity keeps our customers happy. Join us as we take flight!
*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.
Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.
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.
Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.
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 132,400 USD - 251,600 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of a