Systems Engineering Director, Resilient Navigation (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 186,000 - 354,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vacation (3 weeks)

401(k) Plan with employer matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Systems Engineering Director to lead the Resilient Navigation strategy within the Advanced CNS Sandbox. You will guide the technical authority between ART and Avionics, shaping navigation concepts from research to market-ready capabilities for Avionics product lines.

You will influence strategic planning, engage with regulators and industry groups, and direct staff development to meet evolving customer needs.

Qualifications

• Requires a university degree and 14+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 12+ years of experience.
• U.S. Person status required (citizen, permanent resident, or protected status).
• Proven recognition in aircraft navigation technologies across concept to deployment.
• Proficiency in navigation systems, modeling/simulation, algorithms, resilience, and system design.
• Ability to evaluate conventional approaches and develop innovative aviation solutions.
• Experience coordinating across global, cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Resilient Navigation technology roadmap within the Advanced CNS Sandbox.
• Provide domain expertise to navigation technologists and demonstrate novel capabilities from lab to flight test.
• Collaborate with Avionics product lines to mature technology and support business strategy.
• Engage with regulators and standard bodies to develop future standards and concepts.
• Monitor emerging navigation technologies and their potential operational benefits.
• Contribute to strategic planning and stakeholder engagement across international teams.

Skills

University Degree

Advanced Degree

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

University Degree

Advanced Degree

Job description

Date Posted

2026-08-26

Country

United States of America

Location

US-FL-MELBOURNE-312 ~ 795 W Nasa Blvd ~ BLDG 312

Position Role Type

Onsite

U.S. Person, U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

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.

Applied Research & Technology (ART) is seeking a Systems Engineering Director to lead Resilient Navigation strategy within the Advanced CNS Sandbox. As a technical lead, you will shape the future of commercial aircraft navigation technologies, driving concepts from early research through transition into differentiated, market‑ready capabilities for our Avionics product lines.

You will serve as the technical authority and strategic connector between ART and Avionics, ensuring innovation aligns with business priorities and customer needs. We’re looking for a recognized expert in navigation technologies with experience spanning research, technology maturation, and product strategy, and who brings a collaborative, future‑focused mindset.

As a member of the Advanced CNS Sandbox leadership team, you will influence strategic planning, business development, and stakeholder engagement. The role is highly visible, with direct interaction across aircraft manufacturers, regulatory and standards bodies, and suppliers. The director will also guide technical staff development, uphold performance and integrity standards, and proactively plan for evolving team and customer needs.

What You Will Do

• Define and execute the Resilient Navigation technology roadmap within the Advanced CNS Sandbox, addressing both core navigation technologies (GNSS, inertial, vision, DME, advanced antennas, etc.) and capability-orientated views of overall aircraft-level navigation system architecture
• Provide domain expertise to a team of navigation system technologists, developing and demonstrating novel navigation capabilities from initial laboratory characterization through to flight test campaigns
• Be a trusted partner to our Avionics product lines, contributing to product line & business strategy, supporting technology maturation, and solving difficult problems
• Engage with international standardization & regulatory organizations to develop next-generation standards & operational concepts that deliver quantifiable benefits to industry challenges
• Monitor emerging technologies that may be relevant for next-generation aircraft capabilities, including experimental characterization of potential operational benefits
• Provide competitive advantage for Collins Aerospace business units as part of a multidisciplinary and international team of experts through contributions towards technical strategy and business development

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 14 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 12 years of experience
• U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee or asylee status) as defined here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62
• Proven industry recognition in aircraft navigation technologies, including contributions spanning concept definition, system demonstration, and fielded deployment
• Established technical proficiency in navigation systems, supported by experience in modeling and simulation, algorithm development and implementation, resilience and safety methodologies, and system‑level architecture and design
• Documented ability to evaluate conventional technical approaches, develop innovative solutions to complex problems, and advance new concepts within commercial aviation safety, regulatory, and certification frameworks
• Demonstrated effectiveness in organizing work, communicating across technical and business audiences, and collaborating with global, cross‑functional teams

Qualifications We Prefer

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in related engineering fields
• Motivated self-starter with a strong enthusiasm to learn and a passion for the speed and agility necessary to deliver disruptive technologies
• Well-organized with excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills for effective collaboration across a global team
• Demonstrated ability to partner with universities, government agencies, national labs, and professional organizations to meet organizational objectives within time and budget constraints

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
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

• 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.

The salary range for this role is 186,200 USD - 353,800 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.