Entry Level Protocol Engineer Jobs in Spokane, WA

Date Posted:

2026-07-13

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-WA-SPOKANE-11135 ~ 11135 W Westbow Ln ~ WESTBOW

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At Collins Aerospace Carbon Operations in Spokane, WA we specialize in producing carbon brakes for commercial and military aircraft applications, supporting OEM and aftermarket customers around the world. We’re currently hiring for a motivated, entry level Furnace Deck Operator I. In this position you will be responsible for the core production processes in the manufacturing of carbon-carbon composite brake components and other key industry technology.

The Furnace Deck department is responsible for the carbon vapor deposition process, which requires the loading/unloading, preventative maintenance, operation, and monitoring of industrial high temperature furnaces designed to deposit hydrocarbon molecules within a textile carbon preform (disk). The Furnace Deck operator is responsible for operating these furnaces, maneuvering high-capacity cranes, utilizing forklifts, and operating various other pieces of equipment to ensure that product quality and delivery timelines meet customers’ needs. The work in this department varies from supporting and troubleshooting automated robots to performing complex physical tasks.

Rotating Shift Structure:

• 4-on/4-off rotation equates to 6-months off every year!  

• Rotating day/night shift every 6 weeks

• 12-hour shifts: 7:00AM - 7:00PM / 7:00PM – 7:00AM

Compensation

• Built-in, guaranteed overtime

• “Free” hours on non-overtime weeks

• Total annual compensation starting at $58,000 per year

  • Hourly Rate: $22/hr

  • Shift Differential (always active): $2.75/hr

• Clearly defined, skill-based tiered advancement opportunities available

Additional Perks:

• Starting at 3-weeks of paid vacation, with an option to purchase more

• Day-1 access to Employee Scholar Program

• 401 (k) match program

• On-site fitness equipment

• Access to company-sponsored Commute Smart ride share program

• Auto-eligibility for Spokane County Commute Smart program incentives

What You Will Do

• You will be part of a team-oriented atmosphere and interact with other functional groups (e.g., engineering) on technical matters.

• You will uphold process integrity and ensure quality standards are met throughout all furnace operations

• You will adhere to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) regulations and proactively identify and address safety hazards

• You will follow standard operating procedures to uphold safety protocols and ensure product quality

• You will utilize basic to intermediate computer skills for data entry and process monitoring.

• You will be able to lift up to 25 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation, (anything over 25 lbs. would need to be lift assisted.)

• You will work 4 days on/4 days off – 12-hour shifts, rotating days to nights every 6 weeks.

What You Will Learn

• You will gain the knowledge of all pertinent customer and company specifications including but not limited to international standards relating to the production of carbon-carbon brake components & company policies.

• You will learn to operate a range of support equipment including Overhead Cranes, Forklifts, Vacuums, Scissor Lifts, and Power Tools.

• You will learn to conduct furnace readings, rounds, and oversee process flow to maintain optimal operation

• You will learn to perform equipment preventative maintenance as directed and promptly report any mechanical or safety concerns to supervisors

• You will acquire knowledge of Collins and customer specifications, finished products, and relevant policies

• You will be trained on the basic operations of the furnace process

• You will learn to recognize issues with the process equipment tolerance limits

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a HS diploma or GED

• Experience using hand tools

Qualifications We Prefer

• Manufacturing or similar industry related experience

• Experience with inventory control

• Ability to prioritize tasks under constantly changing conditions where ingenuity and judgment are required.

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 

• 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!​

Our Advanced Structures team leverages advanced materials and additive manufacturing to develop complex interior and exterior solutions. These solutions ensure structural integrity of the aircraft, help aircraft take off and land, stay trim in the air, move forward, carry cargo and conduct rescues. We delight our customers with superior products and best-in-class service. Our global team is committed to continuous improvement – we work hard to make our solutions lighter-weight, stronger and more technically advanced, so that plane travel can be safer, more affordable and more sustainable in the years to come. We are looking for the best and brightest to fly and land with us!  

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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!

Employee Referral Eligible!

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.

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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