As a Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist here at Honeywell Aerospace, you will leverage your technical expertise in Materials & Processes for High Temperature Composites and Thermal Protection Systems to develop innovative solutions. You will play a critical role in shaping and advancing enterprise technology that delivers significant business value and influences both governmental and industry projects.
You will report directly to our Control Systems Director of Engineering, and you’ll work out of our South Bend, IN, location on a hybrid work schedule.
In this role, you will serve as a Subject Matter Expert and impact the development and implementation of cutting-edge materials and systems that enhance safety, performance, and reliability in aerospace applications.
ResponsibilitiesKEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide technical expertise in the design, development, and testing of High Temperature Composites and Thermal Protection Systems.
- Drive innovation by identifying new materials and technologies that improve system performance and durability.
- Lead research initiatives that contribute to intellectual property and patent development.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Mentor and guide junior engineers and scientists to foster a culture of technical excellence.
YOU MUST HAVE
- Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Material Science or Chemical Engineering.
- 15+ years of experience leading research and development projects.
- Deep knowledge of materials science related to Aerospace Braking Systems.
- Proven ability to innovate and contribute to business value through technology development.
- Experience with testing, characterization, and validation of composite materials under high temperature conditions.
- Familiarity with industry standards and government regulations relevant to aerospace materials.
WE VALUE
- Advanced degree in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering.
- Strong leadership skills and experience influencing governmental agencies and industry partners with publishing white papers and business proposals.
- Experience in patent development and intellectual property generation.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
ABOUT US
Join a company that's reintroducing itself to the aviation community we've helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we're launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission-focused execution.
Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world's aircraft, your work here has reach that's rare to find anywhere else.
Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we're shaping what comes next.
Every horizon. Every mission. Every day.
THE BUSINESS UNIT
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space — from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions. Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.
As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight. With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world. Explore our businesses: https://www.honeywellaerospace.com
Control Systems develops the thermal and motion control systems that help aircraft take off, land safely and protect the people on board. With more than 10 million passengers per day flying on aircraft equipped with our products and more than 75% of commercial flights beginning with our engine start systems, Control Systems reaches farther across the aviation industry than most people realize.
Honeywell Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status. Learn more about inclusion and diversity :click here
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorization.
About Us:
Join a company that's reintroducing itself to the aviation community we've helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we're launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission-focused execution.
Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world's aircraft, your work here has reach that's rare to find anywhere else.
Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we're shaping what comes next.
Every horizon. Every mission. Every day.
Benefits:
Beyond a performance-driven salary, you'll work alongside dedicated experts on technology that's advancing aviation. As a Honeywell Aerospace employee, you're eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
- Employee assistance program and educational assistance
- Parental leave and 12 paid holidays
- Paid time off for vacation, personal and sick time
Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space — from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions. Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.
As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight. With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world. Explore our businesses: https://www.honeywellaerospace.com
Control Systems develops the thermal and motion control systems that help aircraft take off, land safely and protect the people on board. With more than 10 million passengers per day flying on aircraft equipped with our products and more than 75% of commercial flights beginning with our engine start systems, Control Systems reaches farther across the aviation industry than most people realize.
Skills Required
- U.S. Person status or ability to obtain export authorization under U.S. export control laws
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering
- 15 or more years of experience leading research and development projects
- Deep knowledge of materials science related to aerospace braking systems
- Proven ability to innovate and contribute business value through technology development
- Experience testing, characterizing, and validating composite materials under high-temperature conditions
- Familiarity with aerospace materials industry standards and government regulations
- Advanced degree in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering
- Leadership experience influencing governmental agencies and industry partners through white papers and business proposals
- Experience with patent development and intellectual property generation
- Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment
The Aerospace Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Aerospace Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by The Aerospace Corporation.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) plan provides a company‑paid contribution of 8–12% based on years of service with immediate eligibility and vesting, and eligible employees can access retiree medical benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes 15 vacation days (rising to 20 after five years), nine paid holidays, and unlimited sick time for exempt employees with accruals for non‑exempt staff.
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Flexible Benefits — Flexible work models include a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays off, supported by backup care services, an EAP, relocation assistance, and home‑office stipends where applicable.
The Aerospace Corporation Insights
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration. Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies. Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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