Associate Director, Product Quality (onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Vacation leave (3 weeks)

401(k) plan with matches

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks an Associate Director, Product Quality - Site Leader for the Cedar Rapids manufacturing site. You will lead a multi-disciplinary quality team, ensure AS9100/QMS alignment across production, and partner with site leadership to safeguard product quality and regulatory compliance.

You will drive continuous improvement, oversee audits, RCCA investigations, and cross-functional problem solving to improve defects, process capability, and throughput in a fast-paced aerospace

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.
• Degree and experience in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Business Management or related technical field.
• Leadership experience managing professional teams.
• Experience with AS9100 or comparable regulated quality systems.
• Experience with RCCA tools, continuous improvement, and cross-functional problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary Quality team including Quality Engineers, Quality Assurance Technicians, and manufacturing-floor Quality personnel.
• Serve as the site-level quality authority for all production areas and top-level products manufactured at the Cedar Rapids facility.
• Partner closely with the Site Manufacturing Leader and Production Leaders to support operational goals while safeguarding product quality and compliance.
• Ensure full alignment with AS9100 and internal QMS requirements across all manufacturing processes and production operations.
• Oversee process controls, inspection systems, documentation, and compliance activities to ensure consistent and reliable product quality.
• Coach quality team to drive RCCA investigations and problem-solving activities, ensuring timely, data-driven, and effective corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Quality engineering

Regulatory compliance

AS9100 experience

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

University Degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-30 Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

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

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, Product Quality - Site Leader is responsible for leading all quality engineering and quality assurance activities across the Cedar Rapids manufacturing site. This role supports the Site Manufacturing Leader and partners closely with production leadership across all manufacturing areas to ensure the highest levels of product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Operating within an AS9100-certified environment, the Site Quality Leader oversees a team of Quality Engineers, Quality Assurance Technicians, and manufacturing-floor Quality personnel. This leader drives site-level quality strategy, ensures adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS), supports root cause and corrective action (RCCA) initiatives, and promotes continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and production output.

What You Will Do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary Quality team including Quality Engineers, Quality Assurance Technicians, and manufacturing-floor Quality personnel.
• Serve as the site-level quality authority for all production areas and top-level products manufactured at the Cedar Rapids facility.
• Partner closely with the Site Manufacturing Leader and Production Leaders to support operational goals while safeguarding product quality and compliance.
• Ensure full alignment with AS9100 and internal QMS requirements across all manufacturing processes and production operations.
• Oversee process controls, inspection systems, documentation, and compliance activities to ensure consistent and reliable product quality.
• Coach quality team to drive RCCA investigations and problem-solving activities, ensuring timely, data-driven, and effective corrective actions.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving process capability, increasing production throughput, and enhancing overall efficiency.
• Monitor site-level quality performance metrics, identify trends, and implement strategic actions to improve quality outcomes.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensure readiness across all production areas, and drive closure of corrective actions.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and leadership teams to resolve quality issues, manage risks, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Promote a culture of quality ownership across the site by influencing behaviors, reinforcing standards, and coaching production teams.
• Support business travel up to 10%.

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.
• Degree and experience in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Business Management or related technical field.
• Leadership experience managing professional teams.
• Experience with AS9100 or comparable regulated quality systems.
• Experience with RCCA tools, continuous improvement, and cross-functional problem solving.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, or electronics manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead large teams in fast-paced production environments.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, process capability, and statistical analysis tools.
• Proficiency with ERP/QMS systems such as SAP, or equivalent.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or similar certification.
• Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.

What We Offer

This role may be eligible for relocation.

• 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!

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide. *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.

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 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.

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.