Project Chief, Cyber & Assurance R&D

RTX; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) with matching funds

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Other voluntary coverages

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Project Chief Engineer at Collins Applied Research & Technology in Cedar Rapids to lead a cross‑functional team on cyber security, tactical operations, and high assurance systems. You will guide planning, execution, and delivery across the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with customer and business requirements.

You will collaborate with PMT, Engineering Managers, PIs, and customers to manage scope, risks, resources, and costs, while delivering innovative engineering

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 10+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 7+ years.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.
• Experience leading projects and engineering teams with hardware/software systems and integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to meet program requirements and deliver outcomes.
• Define scope with PMT, align with contractual commitments, ensure technical requirements are met.
• Execute engineering work packages per contract and schedule.
• Coordinate with PMs, Engineering Managers, and PIs for resources and support.
• Manage program risks and opportunities with design authorities.
• Monitor baselines and handle customer-driven changes.
• Identify cost/schedule impacts for out-of-scope requests.
• Perform project planning, risk management, and financial tracking.
• Review and approve documentation to ensure compliance.
• Contribute to business development and bid/pursuit activities.
• Communicate with internal teams, customers, subcontractors and suppliers to resolve challenges.

Skills

Project management

Systems engineering

Resource planning

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Education

STEM degree (10+ years)

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-05

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Top Secret

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

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 Applied Research & Technology seeks a Project Chief Engineer to manage a diverse portfolio of emerging technologies in cyber security, tactical operations, and high assurance systems. In this role, you will support a team of cross-functional engineers to develop innovative cyber and assurance solutions for the future connected battlespace. You will be responsible for ensuring the successful planning, execution, and delivery of engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle, while meeting customer and business requirements.

What You Will Do

• Collaborate with a team of cross-functional engineers to ensure alignment with program requirements and successful delivery of project outcomes
• Work in partnership with the Program Management Team (PMT) to define project scope, align with contractual commitments, and ensure technical requirements are met
• Ensure the execution of engineering work packages in accordance with the project contract and delivery schedule
• Coordinate with Program Managers, Engineering Managers, and Principal Investigators (PIs) to manage resource allocation and ensure adequate support for engineering activities
• Manage program risks and opportunities in collaboration with PIs, technical leads, and design authorities
• Monitor and manage functional and program baselines, including customer-driven changes
• Support the PMT in identifying cost and schedule impacts for out-of-scope requests
• Perform typical project management tasks, including project planning, resource allocation, risk management, financial tracking, and reporting
• Review and approve project and technical documentation to ensure compliance with company and customer requirements
• Provide technical input for business development, bid and pursuit efforts, and project planning activities
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with internal teams, customers, subcontractors, and suppliers to address risks and resolve technical challenges

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• Experience managing projects and engineering teams, including resource planning and task allocation
• Experience in project management and systems engineering for the design and development of systems/products involving both hardware and software components, as well as system integration

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience working with technologists in an R&D environment
• Experience with US DoD 6.2 and 6.3 research organizations (DARPA, AFRL, ONR, NRL, ARL)
• Experience in project management and systems engineering for cyber security capability development
• Formal training in project management
• Experience as a systems engineer throughout the entire systems development lifecycle, including requirements capture, design, integration, verification/validation, and transition to production
• Experience with bid and pursuit work in a U.S. government acquisition model

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, h