Senior Manager, Defense Hardware Technology- Active Secret (Onsite)

RTX; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team of mechanical and electrical researchers in Cedar Rapids, driving rapid prototyping and technology development from lab to mission.

The role requires active U.S. government security clearance, 10+ years of technical leadership in defense or aerospace, and a STEM degree. This onsite position includes relocation support and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Active and transferable U.S. government security clearance required.
• 10+ years in technical leadership; defense/aerospace experience preferred.
• STEM degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• U.S. citizenship required for clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor mechanical, electrical, and cross‑disciplinary research engineers.
• Drive research projects, prototyping, and evaluation of novel defense systems.
• Partner with program managers to transition research to production.
• Support proposal development and customer engagement for R&D opportunities.
• Ensure safety, quality, and alignment with ART/DART objectives.
• Travel up to 15% as needed.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mechanical design

Electrical design

Defense programs

Prototyping

Project management

Security clearance

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Model-based engineering

RF equipment

Job description

Date Posted:2026-10-01Country:United States of America

Location:US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121

Position Role Type:Onsite

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: Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1Build What’s Next in Defense Technology

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.

Ready to solve complex challenges and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace and defense? At Collins Aerospace, you’ll help turn innovative ideas into technologies that make a real impact. Our Applied Research & Technology (ART) organization is seeking a Senior Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team developing next‑generation mechanical and electrical solutions for defense applications.

Lead talented engineers, drive rapid prototyping and technology development, and help bring breakthrough concepts from the lab to the mission!

What You Will Do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical, electrical, and cross‑disciplinary research engineers, providing technical direction, performance management, and career growth guidance.
• Drive execution of research and technology development projects, ensuring quality, schedule, and alignment with ART/DART strategic objectives.
• Oversee ideation, design, analysis, prototyping, and evaluation of novel mechanical and electrical systems for advanced defense applications.
• Foster a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Manage resource planning, staffing, prioritization, and capability development to support current and emerging R&D needs.
• Partner with program managers, principal investigators, and business units to transition research outputs into production programs and proposals.
• Support proposal development, project shaping, and customer engagement for both internal and external R&D opportunities.
• Champion Collins Aerospace values maintaining a safe, and high performing team environment.
• Research approaches that push technical and organizational limits, enabling hardware design, development, and build cycles that outpace industry benchmarks
• Ability to travel up to 15% per business needs

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 security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• 3+ years of direct or matrixed technical leadership experience.
• Strong background in mechanical and/or electrical design, research, prototyping, or advanced technology development.
• Experience supporting defense or aerospace development programs.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Prior experience managing engineering teams or research groups in a technology development environment.
• Familiarity with emerging defense technologies, rapid prototyping, model‑based engineering, and cross‑domain integration.
• Experience in RF Communication and signal processing hardware development.
• Experience interfacing with research customers such as DARPA, AFRL, ONR
• Experience working with university researchers

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

This position is eligible for relocation assistance

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

Employee Referral Eligible

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.

The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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