Principal Specialist , Supplier Quality & Development (Remote)

Collins Aerospace; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible benefits

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Principal Specialist in Supplier Quality and Development to ensure first article inspections (FAI) meet customer specs and aerospace standards. The role collaborates with suppliers, engineering, and manufacturing to resolve issues and drive quality improvements.

Remote work is offered with up to 30% travel to supplier sites and Collins locations. You will help deploy digital analytics and ensure AS9100/AS9102 compliance across processes, with opportunities to mentor

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5 years of relevant experience or minimum 3 years with an advanced degree.
• Experience in quality control, inspection, or related fields.
• Experience working with engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.

Responsibilities

• Review First Article Inspections (FAI) for new or modified parts, assemblies, or materials to ensure compliance with customer specifications and industry standards.
• Analyze engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documents to verify adherence to requirements.
• Inspect parts for conformance to dimensional, material, and functional specifications.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address and resolve issues identified in their FAIR reports.
• Communicate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to resolve discrepancies or non-conformities.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and AS9102 standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Assist in training and mentoring team members on FAI procedures and best practices.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency of the FAI process.
• Support deployment of digital solutions and automated data analytics for improved alignment and user experiences.
• May manage moderately sized projects or processes.
• Coordinate with the supplier FAI Center of Excellence (COE) team in Cedar Rapids, IA.
• Up to 30% Travel required to Suppliers and Collins Cedar Rapids.

Skills

Quality control

Inspection

Engineering drawings

Technical specifications

Digital tools

Net-Inspect

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-05

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-REMOTE

Position Role Type: Remote

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.

Join our team as a Principal Specialist in Supplier Quality and Development, where you will play a critical role in ensuring the compliance and accuracy of first article inspections (FAI) for parts and assemblies. This position is vital to maintaining the highest quality standards in aerospace manufacturing and supplier collaboration. As part of our team, you will work with suppliers, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure that initial production runs meet all quality requirements and align with industry standards. Your contributions will directly impact the success of our products and processes, driving innovation and operational excellence.

This is a remote role that may have up to 30% travel required to supplier and Collins locations.

What You Will Do

• Review First Article Inspections (FAI) for new or modified parts, assemblies, or materials to ensure compliance with customer specifications and industry standards.
• Analyze engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documents to verify adherence to requirements.
• Inspect parts for conformance to dimensional, material, and functional specifications.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address and resolve issues identified in their FAIR reports.
• Communicate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to resolve discrepancies or non-conformities.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and AS9102 standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Assist in training and mentoring team members on FAI procedures and best practices.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency of the FAI process.
• Support deployment of digital solutions and automated data analytics for improved alignment and user experiences.
• May manage moderately sized projects or processes.
• Coordinate with the supplier FAI Center of Excellence (COE) team in Cedar Rapids, IA.
• Up to 30% Travel required to Suppliers and Collins Cedar Rapids.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5 years of relevant experience or minimum 3 years of relevant experience with an advanced degree.
• Experience in quality control, inspection, or related fields.
• Experience working with engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with First Article Inspection requirements (e.g., AS9102, PPAP).
• Experience with special process assessments and audits, including NDT, heat treating, welding, brazing, plating, and chemical processing specifications.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and equipment such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and Net-Inspect.
• Experience with quality management systems (QMS) and ERP systems.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

Additional Skills We Value

• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for sound decision-making.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration across teams.

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 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!

• Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Remote:

Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home). An employee may be expected to travel to the site location as needed.

• Position is remote; however, if you live within a reasonable commute of a Collins site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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