Associate Director, Civil Space - Orion Programs (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Rainbow (CT); On-site; USD 157,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) plan with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Windsor Locks, CT, seeks an Associate Director, Program Management to guide a portfolio of Space programs and the programs managers responsible for execution.

The role combines portfolio leadership with hands-on management across cost, schedule, technical performance, supply chain, and risk, building executive-level relationships and leading major bids and proposals. Onsite role in Windsor Locks, CT.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience
• 5+ years of progressive experience in program management, operations, engineering, or aerospace/defense programs
• Experience leading complex cross-functional teams in a matrix organization
• Financial and contract management experience (FFP, CPFF, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Program Managers responsible for programs across their full life cycle, while building a strong pipeline of future Program Management talent
• Support the General Manager with day-to-day business oversight, strategic priorities, and delivery of business commitments
• Provide clear direction to Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), connecting program priorities and execution to the broader Space market strategy
• Influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, establishing accountability and driving timely decisions and execution
• Lead teams through ambiguity, high-pressure situations, and complex program challenges while coaching and developing team members and future leaders
• Communicate program performance, risks, priorities, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership and other key stakeholders

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Cost management

Risk management

Contract management

Education

University degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-03 Country: United States of America. Location: US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B1 ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 1. 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.

Collins Aerospace is seeking an Associate Director, Program Management to guide a portfolio of complex Space programs and the Program Managers responsible for their execution. Working closely with the General Manager, this leader will help shape business priorities while ensuring programs deliver on customer commitments, financial targets, and long-term growth objectives. The position combines portfolio leadership with hands‑on program execution, including oversight of cost, schedule, technical performance, manufacturing, quality, and significant enterprise‑level risks. The role will lead teams through critical‑path challenges and recovery efforts, strengthen operational discipline across Integrated Project Teams, and build trusted relationships with executive‑level customers, suppliers, and internal leaders. This leader will also support major bids and proposals, oversee strategic value streams with multi‑year revenue potential, and develop Program Management talent for the future. For someone who excels at bringing structure to complex programs, influencing across a matrixed organization, and balancing customer priorities with business performance, this position provides broad visibility and meaningful influence across the Space portfolio. This is an onsite role in Windsor Locks, CT.

What You Will Do:

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Program Managers responsible for programs across their full life cycle, while building a strong pipeline of future Program Management talent
• Support the General Manager with day‑to‑day business oversight, strategic priorities, and delivery of business commitments
• Provide clear direction to Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), connecting program priorities and execution to the broader Space market strategy
• Influence cross‑functional teams in a matrixed environment, establishing accountability and driving timely decisions and execution
• Lead teams through ambiguity, high‑pressure situations, and complex program challenges while coaching and developing team members and future leaders
• Communicate program performance, risks, priorities, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership and other key stakeholders

Program Execution Responsibilities

• Oversee program execution across cost, schedule, technical performance, risk and opportunity management, configuration, product support, manufacturing, and quality
• Manage Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), identify critical‑path drivers, and develop realistic recovery plans when programs fall behind commitments
• Lead supply chain recovery and production‑readiness efforts in coordination with Operations, Supply Chain, Subcontracts Management, and other functional partners
• Establish financial and operational performance targets, manage significant program risks, and balance resource needs against program commitments
• Prepare for and lead customer and program reviews, including PMRs, TIMs, M2Ms, and other major program or product reviews
• Maintain strong execution discipline across assigned programs and take action to resolve challenges involving resources, schedules, contractual requirements, or other program constraints

Customer and Business Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with executive‑level customers, OEMs, suppliers, and internal business leaders
• Balance customer commitments, financial performance, workforce needs, and strategic business priorities when making program decisions
• Lead customer negotiations and other actions necessary to meet enterprise commitments while strengthening long‑term customer relationships
• Lead bidding and proposal efforts that support new business capture and growth objectives
• Plan and manage collateral budgets and strategic value streams with long‑term revenue potential across the Space portfolio
• Identify opportunities to create product and capability synergies across the business that support growth and broader business objectives

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience
• 5+ years of progressive experience in program management, operations, engineering, or aerospace/defense programs
• Experience leading complex cross‑functional teams in a matrix organization
• Proven experience managing cost, schedule, technical execution, and customer commitments
• Experience leading recovery plans, critical‑path execution, and risk mitigation efforts
• Financial and contract management experience (FFP, CPFF, etc.)

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience with government contracts and customers such as NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, or DoD customers preferred

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 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!

Relocation Eligibility: Eligible for relocation.

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

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.

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.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry‑leading businesses– Collins Aerospace, Pratt&Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.