Associate Director

Date Posted:

2025-09-16

Country:

United States of America

Location:

HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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:

None/Not Required

The Aircraft Certification & Flight Test department is responsible for designing, testing, and certifying modifications to commercial transport and business jet aircraft for customers around the world. Our department works closely with program teams to secure new business opportunities and develop solutions that meet our customers’ challenging requirements. We achieve this through a structured and proven certification process, strategic roadmap, and embracing a spirit of collaboration to overcome challenges.

The Aircraft Certification & Flight Test department is seeking a Associate Director responsible for ensuring Flight Test activities conducted by the Collins Aerospace Avionics business unit are in compliance with all regulatory requirements (Domestic and International) as well as operating at the highest level of flight safety awareness. This role leads a multi-functional team and acts as Flight Test Pilot providing high-capability, safe, reliable aircraft to our customers quickly and efficiently. 

This is an onsite position based at the Eastern Iowa Airport located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

What you will do:

• You will lead an experienced multi-functional team that overseas coordination with program teams requiring flight test activities, to include establishing flight test profiles, identifying necessary aircraft modifications, and coordination of maintenance and customer demonstration requirements for the commercial transport and business jet markets
• You will be responsible for performance development and evaluation, salary planning, manpower planning, career coaching, and ensuring compliance with company environmental and safety policies
• You will help create a collaborative team culture that drives predictable program performance to consistently meet business and customer commitments
• You will communicate effectively to a host of stakeholders across the technical spectrum, including customers, program management and senior leadership
• You will grow overall team skill and capability through mentoring, career development, role assignment, and hiring
• You will oversea overall airport flight operations and facility maintenance requirements working with an experienced flight operations, flight test pilots, and facility support team
• Primary interface with FAA and international regulatory agencies in regards to operations of Collins Aerospace aircraft
• Formulate, coordinate and implement policies and procedures for the safe and efficient operations of Collins Aerospace aircraft
• Provide input to leadership for Flight Operations annual and SFP budget
• Provide leadership regarding Collins Aerospace aircraft fleet and facilitate changes to accommodate flight test needs
• Fly as Pilot-in-Command and Second-in-Command on Collins Aerospace aircraft as dictated by flight schedule requirements
• You will play a key leadership role in advancing Collins' existing, new and developing products helping us maintain our status as a leading provider of aircraft equipment solutions. Your efforts will ensure we deliver top-tier solutions that meet our customers' most pressing needs for advanced avionic systems

What you will learn:

• You will learn about Collins Aerospace's advanced products and the civil aircraft certification environment
• You will learn Collins Aerospace aircraft installation, certification, and maintenance requirements working at an airport facility with a variety of flight test vehicles in our fleet
• Leadership and Management: Enhance your leadership and project management skills, including hiring, performance evaluation, and personnel management, while overseeing project scope and schedules in a competitive aircraft certification environment

Qualifications you must have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience
• 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
• 5000 Hours Total Flight Time, 2000 Hours Pilot-in-Command, 2000 hours multi-engine
• Air Transport Pilot License
• First Class Medical Certificate
• Leadership and Team Management: ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and communication while eliminating drama in a constantly evolving environment

Qualifications We Prefer: 

• Experience with avionics system development and aircraft installation, leading a team through aircraft level requirements definition, design, project management, and performing aircraft-level integration and certification
• 2 years of management experience, preferably in the aviation industry
• Past experience as a member of a corporate flight department
• CL604 and CL350 Type Rating
• Flight Test or Certification history
• Familiarization and/or experience with Collins Aerospace avionics equipment
• Previous experience with bidding and bid review, planning, managing project budget, schedule, and scope
• Familiarity with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements. 
• Systems engineering experience executing development of systems/products within a aircraft certification environment
• Ability to work through tough situations and meet demanding customer schedules in a healthy and collaborative way

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. 

What we offer: 

BENEFITS:  

• 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! 

Learn More & Apply Now!

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.

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. Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

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.

The salary range for this role is 147,000 USD - 295,000 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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