Principal Hardware Engineer - Electrical (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-09-18

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-CA-FULLERTON-676 ~ 1801 Hughes Dr ~ BLDG 676

 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 presents an exciting career opportunity for an Electrical Engineer to join our Hardware Engineering team, supporting the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) program. We are dedicated to developing the next generation precision landing products and provide crucial support to existing fielded systems.

This is a Principal Electrical Engineering position located on-site in Fullerton, California. We are seeking an individual with background in hardware design. Responsibilities will include hardware design activities as well as hands-on unit/system testing and troubleshooting. Development and production activities require component research, laboratory integration, test and evaluation, qualification, fault isolation, prototype set-up, test procedure write-ups, and trade study documentation. Additional responsibilities include leading design projects within planned cost and schedule as well as creating proposals/bids for new business.

What You Will Do

• •You will integrate equipment and lab set-up for testing
• •You will design and build prototypes with mechanical and electrical components
• •You will install and swap units into system or test string as needed, including antennas, radios, amplifiers, power supplies, servers, routers, processors
• •You will conduct unit and system level testing in lab environment
• •You will research electrical and mechanical components for hardware design selection
• •You will assemble electronic rack assemblies with units
• •You will design and build cable/harness assemblies
• •You will create electrical schematic diagrams
• •You will create and release engineering documentation
• •You will work independently lead hardware design projects
• •You will create and lead hardware drawing release plan
• •You will coordinate with vendors for successful hardware development
• •You will transition projects from design phase to production phase
• •You will execute projects within planned cost and schedule
• •You will create proposal ROMs and BOEs

Qualifications You Must Have

• •Experience with Design and Qualifications
• •Experience with circuit design
• •Experience performing component/unit selection trade studies
• •Experience leading technical scope and team to execute project deliverables
• •Experience leading projects with accountability for cost and schedule as Cost Account Manager
• •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

• •Experience using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscope, function generator, digital multimeter, voltage regulator, analog to digital converter, etc.
• •Experience with creating engineering CDRLs and SOWs
• •Experience creating proposal ROMs and BOEs
• •Experience with Earned Value Management
• •Experience with transitioning projects from design phase to production phase
• •Experience with Circuit Card Assembly design and fabrication process
• •Experience with hardware environmental qualification testing process
• •Experience researching specifications for commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) components
• •Experience creating wiring diagrams and electrical system schematics, including unit/cable pin-out tables
• •Experience building schedule using Microsoft Project tool
• •Experience with VME and VPX chassis
• •Familiar working with antennas, radios, amplifiers, power supplies, servers, routers, processors, and switches
• •Familiar with cable assemblies for power, data, and RF
• •Knowledge of networking equipment, Power distribution, and Cable/Harness connectors
• •Familiar with communication interfaces and bus standards (e.g., SPI, I2C, PCIe, UART, VME, VPX, or Gb Ethernet)
• •Experience with GPS Navigation systems

What We Offer

• •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
• •Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
• •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
• •May be eligible for Relocation
• •And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Mission Systems:

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 consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role.

Onsite : Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

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.

#MISENG

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 118,300 USD - 224,900 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on