Principal Electrical Engineer - Hardware (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-08-17 | Location: Fort Wayne, IN (Onsite) | U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance; active clearance strongly preferred.

About the Role

Join Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions for the aerospace and defense industry. As part of RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, you’ll help solve complex global challenges and push the boundaries of science and technology. This role is sign-on bonus eligible.

Responsibilities

• Design high-speed digital Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) from requirements and schematic capture through PCB layout, integration, and production.
• Mentor Hardware Engineers on high-speed digital design principles, PCB layout techniques, and hardware development best practices.
• Ensure robust signal and power integrity (SI/PI) via advanced modeling, simulation, and hardware validation.
• Champion Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Test (DFT) principles to ensure producible, cost-effective, and testable designs.
• Perform hardware integration and Design Verification Testing (DVT); support Product Qualification Testing, factory production, and formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Collaborate across Systems, Software, and Mechanical Engineering teams; serve as the primary technical interface to align internal stakeholders, leadership, and customers on program objectives.

Requirements

• Expertise in high-speed digital design for complex multilayer PCBs (12+ layers) with strong understanding of DFM/DFT, PCB fabrication, controlled impedance design, board assembly, and design verification testing.
• Demonstrated end-to-end circuit card development experience—from concept through production—including requirements, schematic capture, layout, bring-up, and integration.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Xpedition, Cadence Allegro, or Altium Designer.
• Hands-on SI/PI analysis experience using tools like HyperLynx, ADS, or SPICE.
• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active SECRET (or higher) security clearance.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders, leadership, and customers.
• Advanced knowledge of high-speed protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, and high-speed memory interfaces.
• Control Account Manager (CAM) experience with knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles for cost, schedule, and risk management.
• Ability to prepare estimates, bids, and proposals.
• Previous experience in defense or aerospace.
• Experience with Agile for Hardware Development as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner, including planning, tracking, and managing hardware projects in JIRA.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage; optional coverages (pet, home/auto, additional life/accident, critical illness, group legal, ID theft protection).
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health (fertility and family planning), Adoption Assistance, Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan (up to 10 free counseling sessions).
• Wellness rewards program (Healthy You Incentives).
• Virtual doctor visits (Doctor on Demand, Teladoc Medical Experts).
• Child and elder care services (Bright Horizons).
• Eligible for relocation assistance.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $107,500 – $204,500 USD. The range is a good-faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.