Associate Director - Resilient Navigation (ONSITE)

Prattwhitney

Melbourne (FL)

On-site

USD 157,000 - 299,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous vacation weeks

401(k) with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace Avionics Navigation seeks a technology leader to drive the Resilient Navigation strategy, bridging avionics and research. You will lead initiatives from concept to product maturity, collaborating with the CNS Sandbox and external standard bodies to deliver industry‑leading capabilities.

The role emphasizes early‑stage research translated into market solutions, with global collaboration and high visibility with manufacturers and regulators.

Qualifications

Proficiency in DO-178C DAL A safety software development.
Deep knowledge of sensor fusion and Kalman filtering.
Industry expert in aircraft navigation technologies.
Experience in modeling, simulation, and algorithm implementation.
Ability to partner with universities and government labs.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the Resilient Navigation technology roadmap for CNS Navigation.
Lead a team of navigation technologists from lab characterization to flight tests.
Partner with Advanced CNS Sandbox to align strategy with business needs.
Engage with standardization and regulatory bodies for next‑gen concepts.
Monitor emerging technologies and provide competitive strategic input.
Support technology maturation and cross‑functional collaboration.
Challenge approaches and drive practical innovation within safety and certification constraints.

Skills

Object-oriented embedded software

Sensor fusion

Kalman filtering

Navigation domain expertise

Modeling & simulation

Architecture & design

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-18 Country: United States of America Location: US-FL-MELBOURNE-312 ~ 795 W Nasa Blvd ~ BLDG 312

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

About the Company

Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs). Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative, and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global, diverse organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies. Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

About the Role

Collins Aerospace Avionics Navigation seeks candidates with industry-recognized technical leadership in navigation technologies to lead the Resilient Navigation technology strategy within our CNS Navigation product lines working closely with our Advanced CNS Sandbox. As a technology visionary, the successful candidate will be responsible for implementing the future of our commercial aircraft navigation technology, from technology inception through to transition of differentiated industry‑leading capabilities to product teams. The candidate will serve as a key bridge between Avionics product lines & Applied Research & Technology, ensuring that innovative concepts are aligned with business and customer needs and are successfully matured into market ready solutions. This role requires an unusual mix of experience covering early‑stage technology research and demonstration through product line strategy. Our ideal candidate is a passionate technology leader with an action‑oriented, collaborative mindset, who operates with a vision for the future, while delivering benefits that exceed industry expectations. As a member of Avionics product lines leadership and key partner to our Advanced CNS Sandbox, the successful candidate will be a core contributor to strategic planning, business development, and engagement with our internal and external stakeholders. This role has a high level of visibility, including direct engagement with major aircraft manufacturers, standardization & regulatory organizations, and suppliers. As a technology leader the candidate is expected to contribute to technical staff development, evaluate and take action on the performance of self and others, and proactively plan for team and customer needs, while operating with full integrity.

This is an onsite position in Melbourne, Florida.

What you will do

Define and execute the Resilient Navigation technology roadmap within CNS Navigation product line while working closely with the Advanced CNS Sandbox, addressing both core navigation technologies (GNSS, inertial, vision, DME, advanced antennas, etc.) and capability‑orientated views of overall aircraft‑level navigation system architecture.
Provide domain expertise to a team of navigation system technologists, developing and demonstrating novel navigation capabilities from initial laboratory characterization through to flight test campaigns.
Be a trusted partner to our Advanced CNS sandbox, contributing to product line & business strategy, supporting technology maturation, and solving difficult problems.
Engage with international standardization & regulatory organizations to develop next‑generation standards & operational concepts that deliver quantifiable benefits to industry challenges.
Monitor emerging technologies that may be relevant for next‑generation aircraft capabilities, including experimental characterization of potential operational benefits.
Provide competitive advantage for Collins Aerospace business units as part of a multidisciplinary and international team of experts through contributions towards technical strategy and business development.
You will be expected to challenge conventional approaches, identify creative solutions to complex technical and operational problems, and find practical paths to innovation within the safety, regulatory, and certification environment of commercial aviation.

Education & experience 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.
Must be a U.S. Person - Job requires access to ITAR or 600/500‑series EAR information or hardware (directly or indirectly) and the company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

Qualifications you must have

Demonstrated proficiency writing object‑oriented embedded software for safety critical (RTCA DO-178C DAL A) products.
Deep technical expertise in sensor fusion, sensor error/noise modelling, and Kalman filtering.
Recognition as an industry expert in aircraft navigation technologies, from initial concept definition through demonstration and deployment.
Demonstrated technical expertise in the navigation domain, evidenced through modelling & simulation, algorithm development & implementation, techniques for increasing system resiliency & safety, and system‑level architecture & design.
Demonstratedability to partner with universities, government agencies, national labs, and professional organizations tomeet organizational objectives within time and budget constraints.

Qualifications we prefer

Motivated self‑starter with a strong enthusiasm to learn and a passion for the speed and agility necessary to deliver disruptive technologies.
Well‑organized with excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills for effective collaboration across a global team.

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
Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
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!

Job Details

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.