Defense Maritime Principal Project Engineer (Onsite)
Job details
- Employment
- Full-time
- Posted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Last confirmed open
- Oct 13, 2026
About this role
Date Posted:
2026-10-12

 Country:
United States of America

 Location:
US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B2 ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 2

 Position Role Type:
Onsite

 U.S. Citizen, U.S.
Person, or Immigration Status Requirements
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

 Security Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: Secret

 Security Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1
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.
Join our innovative team at Collins Aerospace as a Principal Project Engineer within our Mission Systems Maritime Defense Engineering team in Windsor Locks, CT. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary group that pioneers engineering advancements in fuel cell technology, advanced life support, and field support for the US Navy and commercial customers.
In this central role, you will drive the Integrated Product Development (IPD) process, transforming early concepts into fully qualified customer solutions and supporting fielded fleet operations.
Sign-on Bonus Eligible
What YOU Will Do:
- You will hold technical design authority for the assigned product/segment/customer scope and lead cross-discipline technical integration across mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and other engineering domains, ensuring that all elements work together as a cohesive solution.
- You will establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering direction for product research, development, integration, and test within assigned scope. Ensure that verification, validation, and certification/qualification activities are planned and executed to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
- You will directly communicate with customers, suppliers and internal Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT) – including daily tag-ups, weekly meetings, and quarterly meetings.
- You will plan, schedule, coordinate and facilitate all meetings required for the project. Capture and publish meeting minutes. Capture, track, publish, and coordinate closure of action items.
- You will coordinate, track and drive to closure all tasks that must be completed by the cross-functional team to meet contractual, technical, regulatory, budget, and schedule requirements as part of product development, production, and life cycle support.
- You will manage, track, and deliver the required periodic reports on budget for the project including completion and delivery of monthly financial reports.
- You will develop and manage program schedules to drive on-time contract deliveries.
- You will coordinate technical inputs to proposals, business plans, work statements, specifications, budgets, and contractual terms for their product or customer area.
- You will ensure that commitments are technically sound, feasible, and consistent with family architectures and standards.
- You will utilize Earned Value methodology to forecast demand and track project completion.
- You will track and coordinate mitigation of risks related to technical, quality, schedule, and budget for product development
- You will plan and coordinate allocation of resources for the Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT).
- You will complete all work in compliance with Collins Aerospace’s Quality Management System
- You will, on an as needed basis, perform field service activities onsite typically at the customer’s shipbuilding or repair facility, including troubleshooting or preventative maintenance of Collins’ equipment installed in a submarine or at a test facility.
- You may travel up to 30% periodically to support program needs
What YOU Will Learn:
- You will learn to lead cross-functional teams for complex project execution
- You will master project management including budgets, schedules, and resources
- You will gain in-depth knowledge of hydrogen fuel cell/electrolyzer systems
- You will understand nuances of military contracts and regulations
- You will sharpen communication skills for diverse technical and non-technical audiences
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Proven planning, adaptability, organizational and negotiation skills for effective team management
- Experience with electromechanical hardware development and qualification
- Experience in configuration management processes in a controlled production environment including the maintenance of a bill of material structure and complying with product specific release requirements
- Experience interacting directly with external customers and suppliers.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams.
- Ability to anticipate project risks and build contingency plans.
- 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.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Preferred educational background/focus in Systems, Mechanical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering
- Prior experience with hydrogen fuel cell or electrolysis systems
- Experience with systems containing valves, pumps, compressors, fans, heat exchangers, mixers, separators, sensors, and storage tanks
- Previous submarine or spacecraft experience
- Previous knowledge and/or experience with U.S. Navy air revitalization systems and power management systems
- General knowledge of fluid systems design
- Knowledge of ASME codes and standards for process piping and pressure vessels
Experience with military contract programs
- Strong focus on teamwork, team building, and employee development
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
- This role may be eligible for relocation
- And more!
Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be.
Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge?
Join our mission today.
*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.
Onsite
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