Associate Director , Advanced System Tools - Program Chief (Onsite)

globalhr; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a seasoned Program Chief (Associate Director) to lead proposals, architecture, design, implementation, verification, and integration of next-generation software and system development kits, including Virtual System Test Rigs.

The ideal candidate has strong software development practices, experience with military/commercial certification, and a track record leading execution teams on DO-178B/C DAL A activities.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree and 10+ years experience or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain/maintain US government security clearance is required.
• Experience with avionics and test system architecture is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for assigned products and portfolios.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to develop and deliver solutions.
• Manage technical plans, schedules, budgets, risks, and performance.
• Contribute to proposals, business plans, and statements of work.
• Oversee design, development, integration, verification, and certification activities.
• Coordinate resources to ensure successful program execution.

Skills

Technical leadership

System/software architecture

Proposal & SOW expertise

DO-178B/C DAL A experience

Security clearance capable

Education

Bachelor's or Advanced STEM degree

Tools

DO-330 Tool Certification

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-124 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 124

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

Become part of the growing Collins Aerospace Advanced System Tools!

This position is for a highly experienced and motivated Program Chief (Associate Director) that will be involved in the proposal, architecture, design, implementation, verification, and integration of a wide variety of next generation software and system development kits, specifically Virtual System Test Rigs. As an engineering lead in this organization, you will be employing best practice design methodologies and utilizing emerging technologies to pioneer a new product line from the ground up.

The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of software development practices, system testing, military/commercial certification, and experience leading execution teams. This is an onsite position based in Cedar Rapids, IA.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the technical authority for assigned products, programs, or customer portfolios, providing engineering leadership and technical direction.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to develop, integrate, and deliver innovative, high-quality solutions.
• Drive program execution by managing technical plans, schedules, budgets, risks, and overall engineering performance.
• Lead technical contributions to proposals, business plans, statements of work, and customer deliverables.
• Oversee product design, development, integration, verification, validation, and certification activities.
• Resolve complex technical challenges and coordinate resources to ensure successful program execution.
• Partner with customers, suppliers, and program leadership to align technical solutions with business objectives and contractual commitments.
• Willingness to travel (domestic and international <10%).

What You Will Learn

• Launching, maturing, and scaling a new product line with broad organizational dependencies.
• Defining and communicating a compelling value proposition for internal and external stakeholders.
• Executing tooling programs that support safetycritical Integrated Modular Avionics(IMA)certification and qualified toolchains.
• Negotiating product development and program models across commercial and military domains.
• Understanding how tooling investments drive continuous value, quality improvement, and cost/schedule efficiencies across engineering use cases.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• Experience with avionics and test system architecture.
• Experience leading technical projects including customer interaction and briefing executive leadership.
• Experience with leading DO-178B/C DAL A certification activities for software development
• Experience with interfacing with the wide spectrum of individual contributors to program management and customers.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Virtual/Host Test Rig Development.
• Experience with DO-330 Tool Certification
• Experience with military & commercial program procurement, execution, and support (Life Cycle Management)
• Experience with design and development of Flight Management Systems, Flight Displays, Comm/Nav/Surveillance and/or Networking Software (System of Systems)

What We Offer

• 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 illnessinsurance, 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

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.

*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.

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Salary Range

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 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.