Portfolio and Program Engagement Lead (Hybrid)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) retirement plan with match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a senior Portfolio and Program Engagement Lead to drive planning, estimation, and execution of secure PWE capabilities across the Mission Systems unit. You will guide a matrixed team of DT leads, partnering with engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and suppliers to deliver secure, compliant digital solutions throughout the full program lifecycle.

This role prioritizes portfolio management, executive communication, and cross-functional influence

Qualifications

• University degree plus 12 years of experience or advanced degree plus 10 years.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• 5+ years managing digital technology, infrastructure, or engineering programs.
• Experience building and managing Integrated Master Schedules using MS Project.
• Experience managing project financials (EAC, BAC) and forecasting.
• Proven ability to influence and lead in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering and business stakeholders to understand future capability needs and identify opportunities where DT solutions can enable business objectives.
• Lead a matrixed team of DT Program Engagement Leads responsible for secure PWE execution, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives are met.
• Serve as the senior DT representative for secure PWEs, partnering with program leadership on strategy and roadmaps.
• Drive early DT engagement in bids, proposals, BOEs, and ROMs for accurate estimating and readiness for startup.
• Develop and maintain portfolio-level PWE roadmaps aligning investments, resources, and budgets with long-term forecasts.
• Act as the primary escalation point for issue resolution and coordinate SME engagement to remove barriers.
• Oversee portfolio performance with focus on risk management, compliance, and changes in scope.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level communications and status updates for stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration with engineering teams and third-party suppliers to enable timely technical decisions.
• Champion continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile to reduce waste and improve PWE delivery.

Skills

Portfolio management

Program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean/Agile

Security clearance readiness

Education

University Degree

Advanced Degree

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-03

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-104 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 104

Position Role Type: Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

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 Collins Aerospace Digital Technology (DT) Infrastructure organization is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Portfolio and Program Engagement Lead (PEL) to drive the planning, estimation, and execution of secure Program Work Environment (PWE) capabilities across the Collins Mission Systems Strategic Business Unit. In this senior role, you will serve as the primary DT liaison to program leadership, ensuring predictable program performance while enabling digital transformation and adoption of new technologies.

You will lead a matrixed team of DT Program Engagement Leads and collaborate across engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and supplier partners to deliver secure, compliant, and reliable digital solutions throughout the full program lifecycle—from proposal and startup through execution and sustainment. The successful candidate brings strong portfolio management capabilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence and lead in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

This is a hybrid role in Cedar Rapids, IA, with up to 25% domestic travel.

What You Will Do:

• Partner with engineering and business stakeholders to understand future capability needs and identify opportunities where DT solutions can enable business objectives.
• Lead a matrixed team of DT Program Engagement Leads responsible for secure PWE execution, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives are consistently achieved.
• Serve as the senior DT representative for secure PWEs, partnering with program leadership on strategy, roadmaps, and operational priorities.
• Drive early DT engagement in bids, proposals, BOEs, and ROMs to ensure accurate estimating, alignment to standards, and readiness for program startup.
• Develop and maintain portfolio-level PWE roadmaps, aligning DT investments, resource planning, and AOP budgets with long-term business forecasts.
• Act as the primary escalation point for issue resolution and coordinate SME engagement to rapidly remove barriers impacting program delivery.
• Oversee portfolio performance, ensuring ongoing compliance, effective risk management, and adherence to established DT and PWE service delivery models. Monitor and manage project and portfolio financials, including EAC, BAC, resource demand forecasting, and productivity metrics. Manage changes in program scope, evaluate impacts, rebaseline plans, and ensure stakeholder alignment.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level communications, presentations, and status updates for internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration with engineering teams and third-party suppliers to enable timely technical decision-making and problem resolution.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile to drive consistency, reduce waste, and enhance PWE delivery. Support and participate in DT, business unit, and program-level cadence reviews including weekly, monthly, and quarterly operating rhythms.

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.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• 5+ years managing digital technology, infrastructure, or engineering programs with demonstrated success across cost, schedule, and scope.
• Experience building and managing Integrated Master Schedules using MS Project or equivalent tools. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate needs and develop effective solutions.
• Demonstrated experience managing project financials, including EAC, BAC, and resource capacity/demand forecasting.
• Proven ability to influence and lead teams in a matrixed environment without direct authority.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret Clearance.
• Experience supporting government, defense, engineering, or manufacturing programs.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior leaders, customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience in business case development, financial planning, and ROI analysis.
• Knowledge of Contracts, SOW, BOEs, and ROM development.
• Experience gathering requirements and identifying technical solutions aligned to business needs.
• Familiarity with CORE, Six Sigma, TQM, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Experience with both Agile and Waterfall project delivery frameworks.
• PMP certification (active or in progress).

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits packages include:

• 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!

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.

Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role.

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

Regardless of your ole type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world - and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

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 attendselect 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.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms