Associate Director, Thrust Reverser Integration Lead (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Flexible benefits and parental leave

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a leader in aerospace propulsion, seeks an Associate Director to head Thrust Reverser Integration Engineering for Aerostructures. You will direct all technical activities, governance, and production-path development, while collaborating with customers and internal teams to deliver high-value propulsion components.

The role emphasizes budget stewardship, program scheduling, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements, with travel up to 25% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 12+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 10+ years.
• Experience leading a team of engineers and front-facing customer engagement.
• Strong background in engineering principles, structures design/stress, project management, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and integrate all engineering activity for the Nacelle Thrust Reverser product.
• Manage engineering budget, schedule and development of concepts toward production and certification.
• Lead cross-functional teams and coordinate with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure regulatory and contractual compliance and drive testing criteria and progress.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Customer facing

Structural design

Stress analysis

Technical communication

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CORE tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-07 Country: United States of America Location: US-CA-CHULA VISTA-B107 ~ 850 Lagoon Dr ~ BLDG 107, Mail Zone 1-C 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 certain necessary systems. 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. Collins Aerospace is looking for an Associate Director, Thrust Reverser Integration Engineering Leader for Aerostructures who provides technically informed proactive leadership as the head of all technical Thrust Reverser product related activities for future and current state applications, applying technology to differentiate and develop a path to production and certification. In essence, their job is to be the product leader providing governance to their technical activities. In the relentless pursuit of aviation excellence, our mission is to push the boundaries of what is possible in aerostructures. We are committed to pioneering innovations that will shape the future of aviation, reduce development cycles and delivering unparalleled value to our customers. To achieve this, we need a leader who thrives in the face of challenges, someone who is not only technically proficient but also driven by the desire to make a lasting impact on the aerospace industry This role is for those who seek to lead at the cutting edge of technology. As the Thrust Reverser Engineering Manager for Aerostructures, you will be at the forefront of projects that demand the highest levels of technical expertise, leadership, and customer collaboration. The path will present challenges, but it also offers immense rewards. You will play a pivotal role in leading product development with incorporated best practices and applying technology to differentiate and develop a path to production and certification.

What You Will Do

Responsible for the coordination and integration of all engineering activity for the Nacelle specifically for the Thrust Reverser product and accountable for associated engineering budget, schedule, and developing new concepts including technology enablers TRL5+, as well as the conformity of the engineering to specifications, regulatory and contractual requirements. Provides guidance and coordination with internal customers and other departments. Proactive, and not passive to their subordinate team’s decision making, direction of progress and extent of progress. Provides component technical coordination with marketing and potential customers for all proposal activities. Make best use of CORE tools and provide continuous improvement leadership in developing and using standardized component engineering processes, lessons learned, tools and templates for new product introduction, enhancing component commonality and re-use. Ensure that the technical team has the necessary budget to complete the project on schedule. Frequently makes a status of the budget to ensure that planned work accomplished is compatible with budget expenditure. Notifies their senior management when a significant under or overrun of the budget is anticipated. Operate with a knowledge of all Nacelle products related technical requirements to drive the design, development, and testing criteria in coordination with regulatory agencies to ensure Certification requirements are achieved. Represent engineering on all component issues and provides the focal point for all engineering requirements and future directions. Have a pathway to satisfy all technical requirements within budget and schedule constraints and/or provide viable options to challenge new requirements. Ability to effect necessary progress in all technical disciplines – in particular: Structural Design / Weights Structural Analysis / Aero/Thermo Technical Communication Ability to communicate verbally, in writing and by presentations to both technical and non-technical personnel. Determine, interpret and establish technical program objectives and operational requirements for the subject component based on specification and contractual obligation. Think ahead of current activities and eliminates obstacles to support the layout of engineering plans and implement them effectively providing predictable program performance, ensuring customer satisfaction. Technical Compliance Requirements - Particularly Customers and Collins’ and understands the need to plan for all current and future compliance requirements. Establishes, directs and maintains component technical communication with the Customer Excellence team including exchange of technical data, reports, project reviews, meetings and other information on program status and activities. Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally when circumstances permit.

What You Will Learn

This role offers more than just a position; it offers an opportunity to leave a mark on the aerospace industry. You will be part of something bigger, contributing to projects that will define the future of aviation. The road will be challenging, but the honor and recognition that comes with success will be yours.

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. Experience managing a team of engineers Front-facing customer service experience Engineering principles & theories experience Experience with structures design/stress Project Management experience Experience with Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methodologies.

Qualifications We Prefer

Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, ACE or CORE Experience with proposal & grant writing MBA

What We Offer: Benefits

• 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!

This role may be eligible for relocation.

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 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.

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.