Principal Program Chief (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-03-30

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world 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 Computing Products Department (CPD) has an opening for a Principal Program Chief. This department is responsible for the Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) development and sustainment of state-of-the-art avionics products including mission computers, processors, I/O design, video/graphics processing modules, and control panels used in military fighter, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aircraft platforms. 

We are looking for a strong, passionate leader with an action-oriented, collaborative mindset, who operates with a vision, delivers benefits to exceed expectations, builds and enhances his/her teams, evaluates performance of self and others by results, plans for his/her team’s needs, anticipates project/organizational change, all while operating with integrity 

CPD is responsible for designing products for both commercial and military avionics. The successful candidate will lead and manage projects to meet cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments, working closely with peer engineers, program management, manufacturing, and customers. They are the single point of contact for engineering responsible for the technical leadership and project management of design & development activities, within the guidelines set by the product line, program manager, and our customers. Experience related to the design and development of printed circuit designs is desired; engineering design experience and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience is strongly desired. This person will also lead customer business-related activities including bids, proposals, and customer technical presentations. 

This is an onsite role. This position is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

What You Will Do

• Serves as the engineering project leader for programs developing Avionics products, including oversight of hardware, software, and firmware scope to ensure program commitments are met 

• Serves as engineering project leader, providing project management and technical direction during all program phases including pursuit, bidding, planning, execution, and sustainment 

• Ensures compliance with program and product requirements as reflected in design plans 

• Oversee and manage engineering Risks and Opportunities across the program

• Demonstrates technical expertise in processing platforms and the associated technologies 

• Supports development and transition of products into a manufacturing environment 

• Supports employment of cost reduction strategies to maximize DTC+ impacts on products 

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

• Leadership experience in developing ruggedized avionics products 

• Experience managing technical projects including schedule and earned value management, risk management, customer interaction, and briefing executive leadership 

• Experience with Avionics regulatory and certification requirements: TSO, MIL-STD, DO-160, DO-254, DO-178B/C 

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in the Defense or Aerospace industry

• Previous experience as a Project or Program Manager that has had significant cost and schedule responsibility

• Ability to lead large-scale projects, pursuits, and bid activities, provide technical guidance, and motivate multi-disciplinary engineering teams

• Advanced Project Management degree or certification (example PMP)

• Demonstrated success in balancing system performance and affordability

• Strong communicator, able to interface with the spectrum of individual contributor to execute leadership

What We Offer:

Benefits:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:   

• 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 

• 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!  

This position may be eligible for relocation.

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.  

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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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