Director - Program Manager - Emerging Capabilities (Onsite)

Date Posted : 2026-02-06

Country :

United States of America

Location :

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166

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 : Top Secret

Security Clearance Status :

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

Our Emerging Capabilities (EC) portfolio has a need for a Director of Program Management, leading our Research and Development organization. The EC organization is chartered to seek out next generation capabilities that support the long-term growth and future technology needs of Collins Aerospace. The EC team identifies and incubates low TRL capabilities with Science and Technology (S&T) organizations across industry including DARPA, AFRL, ONR, ARL, NASA and others. The capabilities span all of Collins Aerospace including Connectivity, Secure Processing, Command and Control, Autonomy, Strategic Deterrence, Flight Management, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, proprietary programs, and many more.

This Program Director will lead a team of leaders focused on pursuit, proposal, and execution efforts to capture new programs and establish technology roadmaps that align with emerging needs. They will interface with a cross functional team of other program managers, business development, strategy and engineering personnel to develop transition plans for new technologies and capabilities to business units across Collins Aerospace to fuel future business growth and solve the most challenging and emerging customer needs.

What You Will Do

Direct and lead the business strategy and vision for multiple EC technology areas

Lead Program Managers that manage multiple external programs & internally funded technology efforts simultaneously

Lead cross functional teams across local and remote locations and time zones

Defining and recommending the prioritization of externally funded pursuits and IRAD funded efforts, working collaboratively with Business Development (BD), Strategy, and Engineering

Lead and be accountable for Pursuit, Order, Capture activities as part of growing the business, leveraging business development, strategy, and engineering partners

Interface with customers (e.g., DARPA, AFRL, NRL, NSA, Prime Contractors, etc.) during pursuit and program execution

Responsible for meeting contractual commitments including financial, technical, and schedule performance of assigned programs

Actively involved with Strategic Financial Planning and Annual Operating Plan processes for associated Critical Technology Areas

Perform regular program EACs, PMRs and IRAD reviews with an ability to brief senior leadership

Travel up to 20% of the time

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

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

Demonstrated ability to lead leaders and across cross functional teams

Demonstrated ability to brief senior leadership both internally and externally

Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple efforts simultaneously

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with team members in remote locations

Demonstrated ability to provide positive interface with S&T customers (DARPA, AFRL, NRL, NSA, etc.) and Prime contractors

Experience / Knowledge with products and systems in the following areas : Flight Management, Communications, Datalinks, Networks, Waveforms, Apertures, Real-Time Data Dissemination, Open Standards / Architectures, System of System Architectures, Command and Control in Contested Environments, Position Navigation and Timing (PNT), Wireless Communications, or Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

Experience with Earned Value Management and R&O management

Qualifications We Prefer

Active or Existing Top Secret or TS / SCI Security Clearance preferred

Comfortable interfacing and communicating throughout the organization across different disciplines, as well as with different levels of leadership

Demonstrated ability to recognize, pursue, and capture S&T opportunities that directly support business strategies

Experience leveraging efforts and technologies from other Collins Aerospace or RTX organizations (e.g., BBN, RTXRC, Raytheon AT)

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 ​

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!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. ​

• 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. ​

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. ​

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.