Principal Specialist - Supplier Performance

Date Posted:

2026-10-27



Country:

United States of America



Location:

US-IL-REMOTE



Position Role Type:

Remote



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'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.

As a Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance, you will be in a critical forward‑deployed role within the Global Supplier Development organization. You will be responsible for driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance. This role is hands‑on and cross‑functional, supporting operational containment, supplier assessments, and execution of structured improvement plans across global commodities. You will need to be both detail‑oriented and strategic, capable of managing crisis situations and long‑term development actions that align with business unit goals and enterprise‑wide initiatives. You will interface with Commodity Managers, Quality Assurance & Engineering, Operations and Planning, Supplier Business Units (SBUs), Supplier Site Leadership, Crisis Response and Tiger Teams.

This is a remote role.

What You Will Do:

• Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
• Facilitate supplier kick‑off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
• Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints.
• Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
• Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
• Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
• Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed‑loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
• Lead supplier site identification and prioritize development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
• Conduct supplier assessments using OCRA (Operational Capability & Risk Assessment) tool.
• Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long‑term growth.
• Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp‑ups.
• Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.
• Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
• Support long‑term monitoring and re‑engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable.
• Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization include FMEA and Control Plans.
• Provide leadership and/or support for supplier transitions, ensuring a smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption.
• Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post‑transition and ensuring long‑term capability.
• Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts.
• Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projects.
• Travel up to 50%.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Background/experience within Operations, Supplier Development, and/or Project Management.
• Experience working within the aerospace industry or similar manufacturing environment.
• Lean, Six Sigma and/or Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) experience.
• Experience working with cross‑functional personnel, including ability to develop a network of relationships with the various Collins Aerospace business units.
• Experience applying CORE principles/tools to manage processes, ensuring continuous improvement in the systems and benchmarking best practices enhancing customer satisfaction at all levels.
• Experience in Machining or Mechanical Fabrication.

What We Offer

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!

Learn More & Apply Now!​

Operations, Supply Chain and EH&S:

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide. 

Collins Aerospace, a 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.

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Remote: Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home).  An employee may be expected to travel to the site location as needed. 

*Position is remote; however, if you live within a reasonable commute of a Collins site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role.

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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