Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Co-Op (Spring/Summer 2027)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Annual incentive programs

401(k) match

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a co-op/intern for hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing within a productive, safety-focused environment. You will collaborate with engineers to drive automation projects, enhance data collection, and apply IIoT solutions to factory floors.

You will gain exposure to aerospace manufacturing processes, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork while developing skills in SolidWorks, PLCs, and dashboard analysis.

Qualifications

• Actively pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Manufacturing Engineering through the internship/co-op.
• Earned a minimum of 30 credit hours prior to the start of the internship/co-op.
• Solid understanding of engineering principles.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools, Lean principles, and concepts.
• Experience delivering presentations and using design software such as SolidWorks or Siemens NX.

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of project tasks and managing time and resources to meet goals and milestones.
• Planning and implementing automation capital projects.
• Researching, evaluating, and testing new technologies to improve quality and productivity on the shop floor.
• Providing engineering guidance to optimize equipment use and manufacturing techniques.
• Integrating automation solutions into factory systems and improving production processes.
• Implementing Smart Factory technologies and adding digital data acquisition to legacy test equipment.
• Analyzing manufacturing data and creating dashboards to display metrics for operations teams.

Skills

Engineering principles

Microsoft Office

Lean principles

Presentations

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Siemens NX

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Ignition

PLC

cDAQ

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-10-27

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

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

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do *

In this position, the co-op will work with a team of engineers to tackle advanced manufacturing projects. Responsibilities include:

• Taking ownership of project tasks and managing time and resources to meet goals and milestones.
• Planning and implementing automation capital projects.
• Researching, evaluating, and testing new technologies to improve quality and productivity on the shop floor.
• Providing engineering guidance to optimize equipment use and manufacturing techniques.
• Integrating automation solutions into factory systems and improving production processes.
• Implementing Smart Factory technologies and adding digital data acquisition to legacy test equipment.
• Analyzing manufacturing data and creating dashboards to display metrics for operations teams.

What You Will Learn

This position provides exposure to the aerospace industry and offers opportunities to learn:

• Solving real-world aerospace engineering challenges with cross-functional teams.
• Applying Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) technologies to optimize manufacturing.
• Collins Management and Quality Systems.
• Data-driven decision-making based on Smart Factory solutions.
• Advanced and innovative manufacturing processes.

Qualifications You Must Have *

• Actively pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Manufacturing Engineering through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Earned a minimum of 30 credit hours prior to the start of the internship/co-op session.
• Solid understanding of engineering principles.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools, Lean principles, and concepts.
• Experience delivering presentations and using design software such as SolidWorks or Siemens NX.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Certifications in robotics (e.g., ABB, Fanuc), LabVIEW, and/or PLCs.
• Knowledge of control systems and coding (e.g., Ignition, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Ladder Logic).
• Experience with data acquisition equipment and controllers (e.g., cDAQ, PLC).
• Ability to analyze test data and design testing processes, including verifying measurement systems and performing gage R&R.
• Familiarity with 3D modeling, laser cutting, and vision systems.

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.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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 37,000 USD - 82,000 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.