Senior Principal Project Engineer, Deputy Program Chief (DPC) – Future Systems Product Line (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Deputy Program Chief in Cedar Rapids, IA, onsite. You will guide the Future Systems product line execution, collaborate with program managers, and lead pursuit activities for customer RFPs.

Mentorship of engineers and development of bids will be key responsibilities. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in avionics or related fields, with proven leadership, earned value experience, and DO-178/ARP-4754 knowledge.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 10+ years experience or an advanced degree with 7+ years
• Experience leading avionics engineering projects, systems engineering teams, or software development teams
• Experience leading pursuit activities
• Experience presenting to customers and senior leadership
• Experience with project cost/schedule/performance management using earned value principles and Microsoft Project
• Experience with ARP-4754 and DO-178 avionics certification requirements
• Experience with project estimating/bidding and project planning

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Program Managers and group leaders to develop the product line execution plan
• Lead pursuit activities supporting customer RFPs
• Mentor and develop less experienced engineers
• Generate engineering pursuit packages and development bids for high-complexity avionics products
• Track, analyze, and report earned value metrics and program status
• Prepare and deliver program updates, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies
• Represent Collins Aerospace to customers and stakeholders

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Earned value management

Education

Bachelor's or higher in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

ARP-4754

DO-178

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-107 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 107

Date Posted: 2026-10-20

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-107 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 107

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The company will offer immigration sponsorship for this position, if needed. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

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.

The Future Systems Product Line team is developing the next generation Collins avionics system architecture and features. As Deputy Program Chief, you will be a key member of the leadership team guiding execution, driving pursuit activities, and shaping the future avionics architecture.

This is an onsite position in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

What you will do:

• Possess a strong working knowledge of Collins avionics, and a strong understanding of the relationships between all functional disciplines including Systems, Software, Hardware, Project, Safety, Tools, and Certification.
• Collaborate with Program Managers, SYS/SW group leaders, and project leads to develop the product line execution plan for the Future Systems product line, advanced capabilities, and the associated program deployments. The DPC will assist in leading execution to ensure the project meets the technical and certification requirements, remains on schedule, and stays within budget constraints.
• Lead the product line pursuit activities supporting customer RFPs.
• Mentor and develop less experienced project engineers.
• Generate engineering pursuit packages for Future Systems pursuits.
• Generate engineering development bids and estimates for high complexity avionics products. Coordinates bid inputs from a variety of engineering disciplines. May lead medium‑complexity proposal efforts, coordinating inputs from various project engineers.
• Track, analyze, and report earned value metrics as required to understand program status and performance. Able to analyze data and determine appropriate actions to correct developing problems before they impact overall project performance. Reports performance against the plan, understanding both technical and programmatic impacts.
• Create and maintain risk/opportunity and mitigation plans.
• Prepare and deliver program updates, milestones reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies at regular program reviews.
• Work autonomously and demonstrate strong self‑starter leadership traits.
• Provide input into financial forecast, variance analysis, and long‑range planning.
• Represent Collins Aerospace to the customer and other internal and external stakeholders.

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
• Demonstrated experience leading an avionics engineering project, systems engineering team, or software engineering development team.
• Experience leading pursuit activities.
• Prior experience presenting to both customers and senior leadership.
• Experience with project cost/schedule/performance management using earned value principles and Microsoft Project.
• Experience in ARP-4754 and DO-178 avionics certification requirements
• Experience with project estimating/bidding and project planning

Qualifications we prefer:

• Demonstrated experience leading Product Line execution teams.
• Demonstrated experience with leading an Agile development.
• Experience with Cert Dev Ops.
• Experience with Pro Line Fusion

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 illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
• 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!

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time.

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. Regardless of your role 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 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 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.