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 insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking an experienced Engineering Program Manager to lead overall program engineering execution, staffing, and budget across all phases. You will coordinate multiple engineering disciplines, manage risks and opportunities, and maintain alignment with RLPM processes while communicating with leadership.

Ideal candidates have STEM or advanced degrees, 10+ years of experience, and the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret clearance for a DoD-related program.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with minimum 10 years of experience, or an Advanced Degree with minimum 7 years.
• Ability to obtain U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Experience across multiple engineering disciplines with focus on test solution development and lifecycle knowledge.
• Experience managing technical projects including schedule, EV management, risk, customer interaction, and briefing executive leadership.
• Experience using Microsoft Project or other scheduling tool.

Responsibilities

• Ensure overall Engineering execution within the program with authority over engineering activities across all phases.
• Manage budget and schedule for program engineering tasks with discipline organizations.
• Develop a program execution plan coordinating the Test Engineering team and external organizations.
• Ensure staffing forecasts are accurate and properly staffed.
• Oversee engineering risks and opportunities and mitigate key risks.
• Ensure compliance with RLPM processes and design plans.
• Lead a wide range of entry-level to senior engineers.
• Maintain awareness of key technologies and the company’s competitive position.
• Minimal travel may be required.

Skills

Engineering management

Test solution development

Scheduling

EV management

Customer interaction

Executive briefing

Multi-discipline engineering

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-08-26

Country:

United States of America

Location:

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

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 beneficial
• Customer 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 employerretirement 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 lifeand 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

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.