Design Manager (Onsite)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (Onsite)

Company: RTX

Location: Middletown, CT, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering Management / Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and develop a team of design engineers focused on rotor hardware production support within the Hot Section Engineering (HSE) organization.

• Establish and execute engineering strategies to meet production needs for rotor hardware families, leveraging Pro-Cert methodology and engineering fundamentals.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the Engineering Support to Operations (ESTO) organization, focusing on automation and process efficiency.

• Manage resource planning and allocation for both internal and outsourced engineering support to meet program and production demands.

• Make critical, risk-based technical and business decisions in a high-visibility production environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is clearly positioned within an operations support function for a manufacturing environment, specifically focusing on production hardware. The emphasis on "Engineering Support to Operations (ESTO)" and "Hot Section Engineering (HSE)" indicates a direct impact on manufacturing output, quality, and delivery timelines. The "Design Manager" title, coupled with responsibilities like "technical direction," "building engineering capability," and "continuous improvement," places this role firmly in the operations leadership domain, bridging engineering excellence with production realities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and development opportunities for a team of design engineers specializing in rotor hardware.

• Define and implement the engineering support strategy for the rotor hardware family, ensuring alignment with production timelines and quality standards.

• Identify and implement opportunities for process automation, workflow optimization, and elimination of repetitive tasks within the ESTO design engineering function.

• Forecast engineering resource demand, address manpower gaps, and strategically balance internal and external engineering resources to meet production and program requirements.

• Evaluate and make informed, risk-adjusted technical and business decisions, considering engineering rigor, timeliness, cost implications, and hardware risk.

• Communicate project status, identified risks, and strategic recommendations effectively to cross-functional leadership teams and key customers.

• Support non-standard work hours as required to ensure safe and efficient fulfillment of production demands.

• Travel up to 20% domestically and internationally to support program needs and collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of people management, strategic planning, process improvement, and hands-on technical oversight within a production operations context. The explicit mention of "Pro-Cert methodology" and "lessons learned" points to a structured, quality-focused approach to engineering support for manufacturing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution.

• Alternatively, an Advanced degree in a related field. Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience with an Advanced degree. Required Skills:

• Proven experience in engineering leadership and team management, including coaching and developing engineers.

• Strong understanding of rotor hardware design principles and aerospace manufacturing processes.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and execute production support strategies using engineering fundamentals.

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, process automation, and workflow optimization.

• Proficiency in making risk-based technical and business decisions in a dynamic production environment.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills for effective stakeholder engagement.

• U.S. Citizenship is required due to program access restrictions. Preferred Skills:

• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Direct experience designing, developing, or supporting Hot Section or rotor hardware.

• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional technical teams and managing competing priorities effectively.

• Experience with producibility initiatives and cost-of-quality improvement programs.

• Proven ability to manage internal and outsourced engineering resources, balancing demand and priorities.

• Familiarity with Pro-Cert methodology and its application in production support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience levels (8 years with Bachelor's, 5 years with Advanced degree) suggest a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on leadership, production support, and continuous improvement aligns with the core functions of operations management in a technical manufacturing setting. The U.S. citizenship requirement is a critical, non-negotiable qualification for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Evidence of successfully leading engineering teams to deliver technical solutions that directly supported production hardware.

• Case studies demonstrating the implementation of process improvements, automation, or efficiency gains within an engineering or manufacturing support function.

• Examples of strategic planning and execution for production support, showcasing the ability to balance technical rigor, timeliness, and cost.

• Documentation illustrating experience in resource planning and management, including forecasting demand and allocating internal/outsourced resources.

• Demonstrations of risk assessment and mitigation strategies applied to technical and business decisions within a production context. Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their approach to defining and executing production support strategies.

• A clear understanding of how to identify, analyze, and implement continuous improvement initiatives, including automation and process efficiency, will be assessed.

• The ability to manage complex workflows involving internal and outsourced engineering resources will be a key area of evaluation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" might not be explicitly requested in the traditional sense, candidates will be evaluated on their ability to present their experience and achievements through case studies and discussions. The focus will be on demonstrating practical application of engineering leadership, process improvement, and production support within a manufacturing operations framework.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $107,500 - $204,500 USD per year.

• This range is a good faith estimate for all experience levels for this role. RTX considers factors such as role responsibilities, candidate experience, location, education, and skills when determining final compensation. Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Life insurance, Short-term disability, and Long-term disability coverage.

• 401(k) plan with company match.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Flexible work schedules.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Employee Scholar Program.

• Parental leave.

• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Eligibility for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs (performance-based and not guaranteed).

• Specific benefits may vary based on the business unit and whether the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Working Hours:

• Standard 40 hours per week, with the expectation of supporting non-standard work hours when necessary to meet production demand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a broad estimate, typical for a management role in a large aerospace and defense company in the US. The comprehensive benefits package reflects industry standards for such organizations, offering a strong safety net and support for employee well-being and professional development. The acknowledgment of potential incentive compensation indicates a performance-driven culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense

Company Size: Large Enterprise (185,000+ employees globally)

Founded: RTX is a significant entity formed through mergers and acquisitions, with its predecessor Pratt & Whitney having a history spanning over 100 years.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Hot Section Engineering (HSE) team, part of the Engineering Support to Operations (ESTO) organization at Pratt & Whitney.

• ESTO focuses on direct support to manufacturing operations, including quality notifications, process certification, and manufacturing readiness.

• HSE is responsible for the design and in-service support of critical engine components like diffusers, combustors, turbines (vanes, blades, rotors, cases), and nozzles across all engine models.

• The Design Manager will lead a team of design engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams in operations, manufacturing, analysis, and project engineering. Methodology:

• Emphasis on engineering fundamentals and data-driven decision-making.

• Utilization of Pro-Cert methodology for quality assurance and process certification.

• Commitment to continuous improvement, automation, and efficiency through initiatives like Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL).

• Risk-based technical and business decision-making is a core operational tenet.

Company Website: https://www.rtx.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX, through Pratt & Whitney, is a major player in the aerospace and defense sector. The ESTO and HSE organizations represent critical support functions that directly interface with manufacturing. This means the culture likely values rigorous engineering, operational efficiency, and a proactive approach to problem-solving to ensure product delivery and quality. The large company size suggests structured processes and opportunities for career advancement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Design Manager role, indicating a leadership position responsible for a specific engineering discipline (design) within an operations support context. It requires a blend of technical expertise, people management, and strategic operational thinking.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report within the ESTO organization, likely to a Director or Senior Manager overseeing production support engineering. They will manage a team of design engineers and collaborate closely with manufacturing leadership and other engineering disciplines.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on RTX's ability to produce and deliver critical aerospace components. By ensuring timely, high-quality engineering support, the manager contributes to production efficiency, cost reduction (cost-of-quality), and overall operational success for the rotor hardware family.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to grow into higher levels of engineering management, potentially overseeing larger teams or broader functional areas within ESTO or HSE.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Hot Section components, advanced manufacturing processes, and producibility engineering.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain exposure and experience in manufacturing operations, quality assurance, project management, and customer relations.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead strategic initiatives for automation and efficiency that can have company-wide impact.

• Executive Visibility: Through managing high-visibility production support activities and reporting to leadership, gain exposure and potential for advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within engineering management, particularly in a manufacturing-focused operational environment. The emphasis on continuous improvement and strategic impact suggests opportunities for individuals looking to drive significant change and gain leadership experience in a critical industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an Onsite role at a specific facility: US-CT-MIDDLETOWN-130 ~ Aircraft Rd ~ BLDG 130. The environment will be a blend of office-based work for team management and strategy, and likely close proximity to or direct interaction with manufacturing and testing facilities.

Office Location(s):

• Middletown, CT, United States. This facility is part of Pratt & Whitney's operations. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely involve office environments for team meetings, planning, and documentation, but also requires close collaboration with shop floor personnel, engineers in analysis, and manufacturing teams.

• Access to relevant engineering software, simulation tools, and potentially digital twin technologies would be expected.

• The environment demands a focus on safety, quality, and adherence to strict aerospace standards. Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, but with a clear expectation of flexibility to support critical production needs, which may involve non-standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Onsite" designation is critical. Candidates must be comfortable working directly within a manufacturing facility environment, requiring close collaboration with production teams and a hands-on understanding of operational challenges. The flexibility required for working hours underscores the operational demands of supporting a production line.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and qualifications against the stated requirements, with a focus on U.S. citizenship.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion of experience in engineering leadership, production support, team management, and technical expertise related to rotor hardware. Expect behavioral questions assessing problem-solving, decision-making, and collaboration skills.

• Technical Assessment/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to discuss a past project where they improved a process, managed a challenging production issue, or led a team through a complex technical problem. This is where demonstrating process improvement and impact is key.

• Cross-Functional/Leadership Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, stakeholders in operations/manufacturing, and senior leaders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall leadership potential.

• Final Offer: Based on comprehensive evaluation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prepare specific examples of engineering projects where you led a team to solve production issues, improve efficiency, or implement new processes.

• Quantify your achievements whenever possible: e.g., "Reduced turnaround time by X%", "Improved yield by Y%", "Decreased cost-of-quality by Z%".

• Be ready to discuss your methodology for resource planning, risk assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Showcase your ability to communicate complex technical information and operational strategies to diverse audiences.

• For this role, focus on examples that demonstrate leadership in a manufacturing or operations support environment. Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss scenarios related to managing underperforming engineers, resolving conflicts between engineering and production, or prioritizing multiple critical production demands.

• Think about how you would approach identifying and implementing automation opportunities within an existing engineering workflow.

• Articulate your strategy for balancing engineering rigor with the urgency of production schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only technical qualifications but also leadership capabilities and the ability to integrate engineering expertise with operational demands. A strong emphasis will be placed on demonstrating a track record of process improvement and impactful decision-making in a production environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in industry-standard CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for design review and understanding.

• PLM Systems: Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems for managing design data and revisions.

• ERP/MRP Systems: Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) systems to understand production planning and material flow.

• Project Management Software: Tools like MS Project, Jira, or similar for tracking tasks, resources, and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Excel (advanced), potentially Python or R for data manipulation and analysis.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience with platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and reports on production metrics, quality data, and team performance.

• Statistical Process Control (SPC) Software: Familiarity with tools for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal RTX/P&W Systems: Likely proprietary systems for engineering data management, production tracking, and quality control.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Experience with or understanding of tools that can automate repetitive engineering tasks, data entry, or reporting processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't detailed, a Design Manager in this environment would be expected to be proficient with standard engineering design and management software, and have a strong understanding of how to leverage data and analytics for operational decision-making and process improvement. Familiarity with manufacturing-specific systems is also a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Rigor: Upholding high standards in engineering design and production support.

• Safety & Quality: Paramount importance in aerospace manufacturing, driving all decisions and processes.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (engineering, manufacturing, supply chain) to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking and implementing better ways to design, produce, and support hardware.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of technical solutions and production outcomes.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data to inform strategy, problem-solving, and performance measurement.

Collaboration Style:

• Expected to foster a collaborative environment where engineers feel empowered to share ideas and challenges.

• Requires strong partnership with manufacturing operations, quality assurance, and supply chain functions.

• Effective communication and influencing skills are crucial for navigating cross-functional relationships and aligning diverse stakeholder interests.

• A culture of continuous feedback and learning is likely encouraged to drive process refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at RTX and Pratt & Whitney is expected to be highly professional, results-oriented, and deeply committed to quality and safety due to the nature of the aerospace and defense industry. A successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative, problem-solving environment where engineering expertise directly supports operational success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Production Urgency with Engineering Rigor: The primary challenge will be ensuring that production demands are met without compromising the necessary engineering quality and safety standards.

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Needs: Effectively coordinating and communicating with diverse groups, including production floor personnel, senior leadership, and potentially external customers.

• Driving Change in a Large Organization: Implementing continuous improvement initiatives and new technologies within a well-established, highly regulated environment.

• Resource Optimization: Effectively managing and forecasting engineering resources, both internal and outsourced, to meet fluctuating production demands.

• Technical Problem Solving: Tackling complex design and production issues related to high-performance rotor hardware.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Acumen: Developing advanced people management and strategic leadership skills within a complex operational setting.

• Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of Hot Section engineering, rotor dynamics, advanced materials, and aerospace manufacturing processes.

• Process Optimization & Automation: Leading initiatives that can significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Broadening understanding of manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program management functions.

• Executive Communication: Honing skills in presenting technical strategies and operational impacts to senior leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges typical of operational leadership in a large manufacturing enterprise, but also offers substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact. Success hinges on the ability to navigate these complexities and leverage them for continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance urgent production needs with maintaining engineering quality. How did you prioritize and manage the situation?"

• "How would you approach identifying opportunities for automation within a design engineering team supporting production?"

• "Walk us through your process for developing and executing a production support strategy for a critical hardware family."

• "How do you build and develop a high-performing engineering team, especially when dealing with diverse skill sets and competing priorities?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about RTX and Pratt & Whitney's role in the aerospace industry, and what interests you about this specific operational support role?"

• "How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within your team?"

• "Describe your experience collaborating with manufacturing and operations teams. What are the key elements of successful partnerships?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For any case studies you present, follow a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework. Clearly outline the problem, your role, the specific actions taken, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Focus on Operations Impact: Emphasize how your actions directly benefited production, improved efficiency, reduced costs (cost-of-quality), or ensured timely delivery.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight your role in leading teams, making decisions, and influencing stakeholders.

• Process Improvement Narrative: Clearly articulate the processes you improved, the methods used (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma principles, automation), and the tangible benefits achieved.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, risk management strategies, and how you handle team challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of operations, manufacturing support, leadership, and process improvement. Candidates should be ready to provide concrete examples that showcase their ability to drive results in a production environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a resume that clearly highlights your experience in engineering leadership, production support, process improvement, and team management. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume explicitly uses keywords found in the job description, such as "production support," "continuous improvement," "rotor hardware," "engineering leadership," and "process automation."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, focusing on operational impact and leadership scenarios. Be ready to discuss your approach to team development and strategic planning for production support.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with RTX and Pratt & Whitney's mission, values, and recent developments in the aerospace and defense sector, paying attention to their operational capabilities and commitment to innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.