Associate Director of Materials & Process Technology (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance and disability coverage

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX business, is seeking an Associate Director of Materials & Process Engineering to lead advanced structures materials engineering and testing, focusing on non-metallic and composite systems. This role provides technical oversight across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, ensuring robust material data and supplier qualifications.

The ideal leader will guide strategic and operational plans, resolve cross-functional challenges, and drive innovations that

Qualifications

• 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.
• Previous leadership responsibilities in materials and/or manufacturing engineering environments in aerospace or similarly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams supporting production, operations, or design engineering.
• Previous experience solving manufacturing technical problems, leading investigations, and implementing systemic improvements.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute long‑term strategic direction for the group.
• Develop and implement short‑and mid‑term operational plans that directly support production, new program introductions, and process optimization.
• Lead the recommendation and implementation of improved processes, policies, standards, and operating plans to optimize material performance, manufacturability, operational efficiency, and supplier capability.
• Provide strong support to Manufacturing Engineering by ensuring technical decisions enhance manufacturability, yield, cost, and robustness, while partnering with Design Engineering and Operations to develop and optimize tooling, processes, specifications, and production methods.
• Support and troubleshoot manufacturing process issues through deep materials and process expertise, coordinating with operations and supply chain to sustain stable production performance.
• Lead materials analysis, research, design, and development for metallic, non‑metallic, and composite systems, including fabrication and application processes, and oversee failure analysis and life predictions.
• Improve workflow processes or systems using industry best practices and competitive landscape.
• Leverage manufacturing data and supplier insights to recommend technologies, tools, and equipment that strengthen production capability.
• Manage and grow a team of engineers, including managers, by developing talent and building a high‑performing organization.
• Provide leadership that influences executive leadership and cross‑functional teams; communicate strategic topics, technical risks, and operational impacts effectively.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on materials and manufacturing strategies.

Skills

Leadership experience

Materials engineering

Manufacturing engineering

Aerospace industry

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Job description

Location: US-CA-RIVERSIDE-8200B1 ~ 8200 Arlington Ave ~ BLDG B1

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-RIVERSIDE-8200B1 ~ 8200 Arlington Ave ~ BLDG B1

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 RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Associate Director of Materials & Process Engineering leads the Advanced Structures materials engineering and testing organization, with a focus on non‑metallic and composite structures. This team delivers essential technical support to engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain functions.

The role is accountable for developing and executing strategic and operational plans that improve manufacturing processes for current production programs across multiple sites and suppliers. The leader will oversee the resolution of complex, cross-functional technical challenges and strengthen alignment between Materials & Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations by implementing more effective and innovative ways of working together.

Additionally, this role oversees materials engineering and testing activities, including the development of material design allowables and the approval of test data required for material and part supplier qualification. This responsibility ensures that material performance is validated, suppliers meet engineering and quality requirements, and production programs have reliable, accurate material property data.

What You Will Do

• Own and execute long‑term strategic direction for the group, aligning objectives with business strategy and manufacturing needs.


• Develop and implement short‑and mid‑term operational plans that directly support production, new program introductions, and process optimization.


• Lead the recommendation and implementation of improved processes, policies, standards, and operating plans to optimize material performance, manufacturability, operational efficiency, and supplier capability, ensuring strong coordination and alignment with internal and external customers.


• Provide strong support to Manufacturing Engineering by ensuring technical decisions enhance manufacturability, yield, cost, and robustness, while partnering closely with Design Engineering and Operations to develop and optimize tooling, processes, specifications, and production methods.


• Support and troubleshoot manufacturing process issues through deep materials and process expertise, coordinating with operations and supply chain to sustain stable production performance.


• Lead materials analysis, research, design, and development for metallic, non‑metallic, and composite systems, including their fabrication and application processes, while conducting or overseeing failure analysis, life predictions, material behavior assessments, and reviews of subcontractor processing procedures.


• Improve entire workflow processes or systems using knowledge of industry best practices and competitive landscape.


• Leverage manufacturing data, field support findings, and materials performance insights to recommend technologies, tools, and equipment that strengthen production capability.


• Manage and grow a team of engineers, including managers, by developing talent, fostering professional growth, and building a high‑performing organization.


• Provide leadership that influences executive leadership and cross‑functional teams; communicate strategic topics, technical risks, and operational impacts effectively.


• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and customers, to ensure alignment on materials and manufacturing strategies.

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.


• Previous leadership responsibilities in materials and/or manufacturing engineering environments in aerospace or similarly regulated manufacturing industries.


• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams supporting production, operations, or design engineering.


• Previous experience solving manufacturing technical problems, leading investigations, and implementing systemic improvements.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with composite materials and structural adhesives, including their manufacturing processes, specification documentation, and application in part production.


• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders.


• Skilled in assessing and optimizing materials, processes, tooling, and specifications, including reviewing subcontractor procedures and supporting resolution of manufacturing issues.


• Experience implementing digital material specifications, including converting legacy standards to digital formats and deploying them across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.


• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams from concept through high‑rate production.


• Background in materials failure analysis, composite structures, metallic and thermal processing, material behavior evaluation, and production support.


• Experience developing material design allowables and leading certification and qualification activities for aircraft composite products.

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 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!

This role may be eligible for relocation.

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.

The salary range for this role is 172,900 USD - 328,700 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.

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