Principal Structures Engineer (onsite)

RTX RTX · Aerospace · east hartford, CT +1 · Engineering

Principal Structures Engineer at RTX (Pratt & Whitney) responsible for driving structural integrity, technical excellence, and quality for aircraft engine components in active production. The role involves leading global engineering teams, conducting advanced structural assessments using Finite Element Analysis, Fracture Mechanics, and fatigue life predictions, and authoring non-conformance structural assessments. Requires a BS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering with 8 years of experience or an advanced degree with 5 years of experience, including knowledge of structural analysis methods.

What you'd actually do

  1. Serve as the Component Executive / Operational Military Engine (OCE/OME) Structures leader within Engineering Support to Operations (ESTO), spearheading production support, proactive producibility tasks, and high-impact engineering design changes.
  2. Direct, mentor, and oversee domestic and international Out-Source (O/S) engineering teams, serving as the primary Pratt & Whitney focal point to ensure high-quality, timely task completion aligned with business priorities.
  3. Conduct and oversee complex structural evaluations—including Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS, NX Simcenter), Fracture Mechanics, and Low/High Cycle Fatigue Life Cycle Predictions—to resolve critical quality issues and streamline supplier transitions.
  4. Author and delegate non-conformance structural assessments for critical military and commercial components using 2D/3D modeling and hand calculations, ensuring flawless alignment with P&W Engineering Standard Work.
  5. Partner with multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to pioneer innovative structural solutions that seamlessly balance component performance, cost, manufacturing schedule, and quality requirements.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or in a related field and 8 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and 5 years of relevant experience.
  • engineering experience and knowledge of structural analysis methods (stress analysis, LCF/HCF fatigue, and fracture mechanics).

Nice to have

  • Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Proven experience leading engineering teams within an aerospace manufacturing or production support environment.
  • Proficiency in modeling tools and programming languages (e.g., ANSYS, APDL, Workbench, ABAQUS, Python, MATLAB, NX Simcenter/Teamcenter, or SAP).
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven track record of translating complex technical realities into clear, impactful strategies for varied audiences.
  • Active experience driving process improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous manufacturing optimization).

What the JD emphasized

  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • structural integrity
  • technical excellence
  • quality
  • critical leadership role
  • definitive discipline authority
  • world-class commercial and military hot-section rotating and airfoil components
  • active production
  • production support
  • high-impact engineering design changes
  • primary Pratt & Whitney focal point
  • high-quality, timely task completion
  • complex structural evaluations
  • critical quality issues
  • non-conformance structural assessments
  • critical military and commercial components
  • flawless alignment
  • innovative structural solutions
  • seamlessly balance component performance, cost, manufacturing schedule, and quality requirements
  • Advanced Technical Mastery
  • extreme operational conditions
  • High-Stakes Lifecycle Prediction
  • next-generation aerospace hardware
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • executive-level communication and influence
  • ultimate structural authority
  • Global Operations Strategy
  • Producibility & Innovation
  • novel structural solutions where historical data doesn't exist
  • cost reduction and technology advancement
  • engineering experience and knowledge of structural analysis methods (stress analysis, LCF/HCF fatigue, and fracture mechanics)
  • Advanced Credentials
  • Aerospace Leadership
  • Advanced Software Palette
  • Dynamic Communication
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset