Associate Director of Engineering - Command and Control, Architect

Date Posted:

2026-10-05



Country:

United States of America



Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121



Position Role Type:

Onsite



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

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​



Security Clearance Type:

Top Secret - Current



Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Join Collins Aerospace’s Defense Technology organization and help shape next-generation Command and Control (C2) capabilities. In this role, you will define architectures that determine how future air, space, maritime, and electromagnetic-contested missions are coordinated and executed. You’ll work at the intersection of advanced research, mission strategy, and real operational needs to turn emerging concepts into systems that transform how operators command, sense, and act across Connected Battlespace.

As part of a small, high impact team within Collins Aerospace’s Applied Research & Technology organization, you will explore, prototype, and demonstrate new technologies with the freedom to experiment and move quickly. You’ll have access to world-class labs, data, and product teams ready to transition what you build into mission-ready capabilities.

Defense Technologies accelerates innovative ideas into solutions for contested environments, including resilient communications and navigation, secure and cyber resilient platforms, advanced sensing, and autonomous systems. You’ll work close to real missions with clear pathways to validate concepts in the lab, at the range, and on operational platforms.

The ideal candidate will be based onsite at one of the following locations: Cedar Rapids, IA; Dulles, VA; McKinney, TX; Richardson, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You Will Do

• Lead the creation of C2 architectures that don’t just support the future of the field- they define it, driving mission success and shaping the next era of command and control.
• Validate cutting-edge architecture concepts and patterns in emerging C2 markets.
• Shape and execute technology roadmaps aligned to future C2 capability needs.
• Partner with strategy teams to assess and influence our approach to new C2 market opportunities.
• Lead system-level trades, modeling, and analysis that inform key architecture decisions.
• Integrate electronic warfare effector concepts into cohesive, multidomain C2 architectures.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition architectural concepts into executable baselines.
• Deliver high impact technical artifacts, including architecture views, gap analyses, and capability roadmaps.
• Engage directly with customers and partners to refine operational needs and align them to technical solutions.
• Represent the organization in internal and external technical forums to advance innovation in C2 systems.
  

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.
• Demonstrated experience with command‑and‑control systems, architectures, or mission workflows.
• Proven ability to perform system‑level analysis and trades for complex mission systems.
• Experience developing or analyzing architectures using industry frameworks (e.g., DoDAF, UML, SysML).
• Familiarity with electronic warfare concepts, cyber operations, or effector systems.
• 7+ years of relevant engineering or architecture experience.

• Active and transferable Top Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.

• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
  

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience communicating technical topics to a variety of audiences.
• Advanced degree in systems engineering, computer science, or related discipline.
• Expertise architecting or validating next‑generation or first‑of‑kind command‑and‑control systems.
• Direct experience designing or integrating electronic warfare effectors into mission systems.
• Prior involvement in shaping technology or product roadmaps for defense mission systems.
• Experience working across strategy, business development, and engineering organizations to define new market opportunities.
• Active TS/SCI preferred and experience engaging with customers in classified environments.
  

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!  

This role is eligible for relocation.

Learn More & Apply Now

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.

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 157,200 USD - 298,800 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.

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