Sr. Controls Engineer (Aero Manufacturing)

Date Posted:

2026-01-20

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-NC-WILSON-4200 ~ 4200 Airport Dr ~ BLDG 4200

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Join our dynamic team in Wilson, NC where we are committed to saving lives as an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of fire protection systems for commercial and military aircraft and ground vehicles. If you’re ready to make a difference in your career while contributing to the greater safety of others, apply now to become part of our team!

What You Will Do

• Lead the design, programming, commissioning, and support of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for aerospace manufacturing equipment and automated production lines

• Act as technical lead for controls and automation on production and capital projects, ensuring alignment with manufacturing, quality, and compliance requirements

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex control system issues to minimize production downtime and yield loss

• Develop, maintain, and enforce controls engineering standards, architectures, and documentation practices

• Review and approve electrical schematics, control panel designs, and instrumentation for manufacturability, safety, and compliance

• Ensure control systems comply with aerospace, safety, and regulatory requirements (AS9100, NADCAP, OSHA, NFPA, IEC, cybersecurity policies, etc.)

• Support Manufacturing Engineering and Operations during equipment startups, process changes, and root cause investigations

• Lead change management activities for control system modifications, including risk assessment, validation, and documentation

• Interface with IT/OT teams to ensure secure, reliable industrial network architecture

• Provide technical mentoring and guidance to junior controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel

• Manage and oversee system integrators, OEMs, and automation vendors including Service as the conduit to site resources, ensuring alignment of produced solutions to production needs and standards

• Maintain accurate technical documentation, including software backups, change logs, and validation records

• Exercise sound mechanical and electrical knowledge to understand operational and design challenges in order to offer practical approach in action as well as guidance to the working team and effective technical communication to internal leaders.

• Support the development of strategic production technology roadmaps in alignment with the Wilson Fire Protection Systems’ strategy.

What You Will Learn

• Exposure to every function of the production operations, at all levels of the site organizational structure (from manufacturing operator to Site Leader), in support of every OEM in the aviation industry.  It is an ideal position to dive into the most interesting and impactful production technologies and the learning opportunities are limited solely by time, effort, and curiosity of the individual. 

• Skills required to succeed in a highly matrixed organization – effective communication, accountability through influence and structural expectations, project management, Sales/Inventory/Operations Planning

• Gain or deepen hands-on experience with Six Sigma and Shainin RedX techniques and develop expertise in Lean Manufacturing

Qualifications You Must Have 

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field

• Strong proficiency with PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley preferred; Siemens or Schneider a plus)

• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, or Wonderware

• Strong understanding of discrete manufacturing systems and industrial automation architectures

• Ability to create, read, and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and control narratives

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting production-critical equipment under time-sensitive conditions

Qualifications We Prefer

• Aerospace manufacturing experience or work in regulated/high-reliability industries

• Experience supporting test equipment, custom automation, or special process equipment

• Knowledge of machine safety systems, safety PLCs, and applicable standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061, NFPA 79)

• Familiarity with robotics, motion control, vision systems, or data acquisition systems

• Experience with validation, configuration management, and formal change control processes

• Experience working in AS9100 or NADCAP-compliant environments

• Experience working in Altium or Xpedition Electrical Design Engines

• SAP business system experience

• Industry certifications such as CORE/Six Sigma/LEAN/Project Management/PE

WHAT WE OFFER  

BENEFITS  

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   

•  And more!   

Learn More & Apply Now!  

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.  

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today. 

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. Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings. 

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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