At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team to develop innovative aircraft interior products and manage project delivery.
- Company: Dynamic aerospace company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, competitive salary, bonus scheme, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equal opportunity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the aerospace industry while working flexibly and collaboratively.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom – The Principal Project Engineer reports to the Senior Program Engineering Manager and collaborates with the Program Management Team supporting the Program Chief Engineer. Based in Leighton Buzzard, travel may be required to support the business or customers. The position allows flexibility to work remotely Monday and Friday, but on-site presence is required as needed.
What You Will Do
- Lead a global team of multi-disciplined engineers to develop aircraft interior products and be accountable to stakeholders for delivery.
- Define and maintain a clear, structured scope aligned to project objectives; control scope changes and develop robust schedules.
- Support development plans to achieve high first-pass yield at key gates.
- Validate task sequencing, dependencies, and critical path accuracy.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; drive risk reduction and retirement trends.
- Protect the program by resolving issues in a timely and structured manner and executing recovery plans.
- Act as the technical interface for all stakeholders; build customer relationships based on transparency and trust.
- Author, check, and approve technical documentation within delegation of authority.
- Monitor, report, and act upon key performance indicators to achieve predictable outcomes.
Experience & Qualifications We Prefer
- Self-starter with strong customer focus and a mindset for tackling challenges and creating solutions.
- At least 5 years of technical engineering or manufacturing experience.
- Proven ability to lead a cross-functional, global team through complex product development via a gated NPI process.
- Excellent communicator, capable of achieving desired outcomes through dialogue with stakeholders at all levels.
- Understanding of the aircraft interiors industry (certification, product development, customer expectations) is highly desirable.
- Proficiency with project management and engineering tools such as Teamcenter, Primavera, MS365, CATIA V5, etc.
- Solid application of fundamental project management methodologies.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Competitive salary
- Bonus scheme
- Fantastic pension scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection
- Private medical insurance, employee assistance programme, holiday purchase options, cycle-to-work scheme, and other employee discounts.
We are committed to equal opportunity employment. All qualified applications will be considered without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.
Principal Project Engineer employer: Collins Aerospace
As a Principal Project Engineer at our Leighton Buzzard location, you will join a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme and private medical insurance, and the flexibility of hybrid working to support your work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead a global team in delivering cutting-edge aircraft interior products while building meaningful relationships with stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Principal Project Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their aircraft interior products and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past experiences, highlight times when you led a team or managed a project successfully. We’re looking for self-starters who can tackle challenges, so make sure to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s get the conversation started!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your technical engineering background and any relevant project management experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Principal Project Engineer role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and tackled challenges in the past – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure your written application demonstrates your communication prowess. Clear, concise language will help us see your potential as a great collaborator.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collins Aerospace
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to aircraft interiors and project management tools like Teamcenter and Primavera. Being able to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled challenges will show that you're not just a self-starter, but also someone who can lead a global team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to manage scope changes and develop robust schedules. This is crucial for the Principal Project Engineer role, so be ready to discuss how you’ve driven projects to success while keeping stakeholders informed and engaged.
✨Communicate Clearly
As an excellent communicator, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses during the interview, especially when discussing past experiences.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Since identifying and mitigating project risks is a key part of the job, come prepared with examples of how you've handled risks in previous projects. Talk about your approach to risk reduction and how you’ve executed recovery plans when things didn’t go as expected. This will show that you’re proactive and solution-oriented.
