Principal Flight Test Engineer - CH-47F Platform Systems (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-08-28

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AL-HUNTSVILLE-382 ~ 420 Jan Davis Dr ~ DAVIS 382

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ 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

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

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.

Are you ready to shape the future of aerospace with cutting-edge technology? Join our Rotary Wing Platform Systems Team at Collins Aerospace! Here, you will play a crucial role in developing and flight-testing avionics for US Army CH-47F programs. This dynamic position offers the flexibility to push the boundaries of technology, enhancing the capabilities of the CH-47F Chinook aircraft platforms. This role requires a highly motivated person to participate in ground and flight test activities. The flight test engineer needs to be a self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as a member of the broader development and flight test team. They will be required to work closely with the customer and certifying agencies to establish and conduct flight test programs in the pursuit of airworthiness releases. 

This position is onsite in Huntsville, AL. 

What YOU Will Do:

• You will perform Platform Systems Engineering (PSE) activities and act as the Flight Test Engineer for the CH-47Fprogram performing ground and flight test activities.

• You will travel to conduct flight tests for the CH-47F customer for different Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) updates. 

• You will be formulating test requirements, preparing and coordinating test plans. You will be preparing flight schedules, test procedures and associated test cards. Tools used are DOORS, JIRA, PREP, Microsoft, SVN and others.

• You will participate onboard aircraft (both on the ground and in flight) contributing to the overall test execution, aircraft troubleshooting, onboard data collection, post flight data analysis, documenting all aspects of test events, issue investigation and resolution, writing test reports, and documenting test results.

• You will design system solutions in a 'clean sheet' environment, ensuring the integration of Collins Aerospace products into complex upgrade programs. 

• You will navigate through the bids & pursuits processes for flight test efforts.

What YOU Will Learn: 

• You will deepen your understanding of aircraft systems engineering, gaining insights into advanced integration and development processes. 

• You will enhance your leadership skills, directing critical test operations and influencing major project outcomes. 

• You will expand your professional network, working alongside industry experts and customer. 

• You will have the unique opportunity to build customer relationships with the US Army CH-47F customer.

 

Qualifications You Must Have: 

• Ability to obtain a US Department of Defense (DoD) SECRET security clearance.

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of experience, or an Advanced Degree with 5 years of experience.

• U.S. citizenship is required, as this position involves work that is regulated by U.S. defense regulations.

• Travel (domestic-US, and possible International) is required of this position, estimating 10-30% of the year.

• 3-10 year’s minimum of flight test or avionics operations or avionics systems software/hardware integration.

• Physical ability to climb on and maneuver within aircraft is required for this position.

• Must have the ability to pass a flight physical.

Qualifications We Prefer: 

• Collins Aerospace’s Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) experience.

• Military and/or Private Pilot rating certifications.

• Aircraft flight test experience.

• Experience (military or civil aircraft) in avionics systems, specifically maintenance and troubleshooting.

• Working knowledge / understanding of data busses and protocols (Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553B, and ARINC-429)

• Aptitude for hands on aircraft troubleshooting to solve issues rapidly uncovered in flight test.

• Experience with DOORS, PREP, JIRA and Microsoft Office Suite is desired.

• Strong organizational skills including associated documentation.

• Communicate with a wide variety of technical and management personnel as well the customer, normally active-duty military and associated contractors.

• Research test requirements and prepare test plans, procedures and flight cards.

• Analyze and perform data reduction (video, digital) using MATLAB, Wireshark or other analysis tools

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 

• 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 

• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program  

•  And more!  

Eligible for relocation

Learn More & Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

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. 

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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 the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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