Senior Principal Project Engineer - Test Engineering (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Three weeks vacation

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, based in Cedar Rapids, is seeking an experienced Program Manager for engineering leadership within a major DoD program. The role focuses on engineering execution, budget/schedule oversight, and coordination with Test Engineering and external groups to meet program milestones.

The position requires a STEM degree with extensive experience, the ability to obtain a Secret clearance, and strong leadership across multiple engineering disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 7–10+ years of experience
• Ability to obtain U.S. Secret security clearance
• Experience managing technical projects including schedule, Earned Value, risk, customer interaction, and leadership briefings
• Experience using scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project

Responsibilities

• Ensure overall Engineering execution within the program across all phases
• Manage budget and schedule for program Engineering tasks with discipline teams
• Develop a program execution plan coordinating Test Engineering and external orgs
• Ensure staffing forecasts are accurate and updated
• Oversee engineering Risks and Opportunities across the program
• Ensure compliance with RLPM processes and program/product requirements
• Lead engineers from entry to senior levels
• Maintain awareness of key technologies and competitive position
• Minimum travel may be required

Skills

Security clearance management

Project management

EV management

Scheduling tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

Job description

Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106

Date Posted

2026-08-26

Country

United States of America

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: 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.

What You Will Do

• Ensure overall Engineering execution within the program, having decision authority over Engineering activities during all program phases including pursuit, bidding, planning, execution, and transition to production
• Manage overall budget and schedule for program Engineering tasks, working closely with the engineering discipline organizations to review program execution on a periodic basis to ensure meeting schedule and cost
• Develop a program execution plan involving coordination between the Test Engineering team and external organizations
• Ensure staffing forecasts are accurate and up to date, and work with Engineering discipline organizations to ensure appropriate staffing is assigned
• Oversee and manage engineering Risks and Opportunities across the program, leveraging the enterprise to mitigate key risks and capture opportunities
• Ensure consistency with Collins Avionics RLPM processes
• Ensure compliance with Program and Product requirements as reflected in design plans
• Lead a wide range of entry-level to highly experienced engineers
• Maintains awareness of key technologies and the company’s competitive position
• Minimal travel may be required

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
• Ability to obtain U.S. Secret government issued security clearance
• Working knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines with a strong focus on test solution development and experience in all phases of development lifecycle
• Experience managing technical projects including schedule and Earned Value management, risk management, customer interaction, and briefing executive leadership
• Experience using Microsoft Project or other scheduling tool

Qualifications We Prefer

• Strong communication skills; able to interface with the spectrum of individual contributor to executive leadership
• Experience with test equipment in a production environment is beneficialCustomer service orientation: providing customers with quality experiences and establishing and maintaining effective relationships

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!

May be eligible for relocation

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

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.