Associate Director - Strategic Deterrence Campaign (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-09-24

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:

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:

DoD Clearance: Top Secret

Joining Collins Aerospace isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology.

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. 

We are seeking a Systems Architect to support systems engineering and integration efforts on the Strategic Deterrence campaign under the JADC2 integration cell. In this role, you will work across multi-domain architectures, integrating communications, command and control, and cybersecurity systems for strategic defense applications.

You will collaborate with government customers, internal cross-functional teams, and industry partners to ensure seamless integration of advanced capabilities that directly support the strategic mission of deterrence and readiness.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert on system architecture, integration, and requirements for JADC2-related solutions.
• Proactively engage with customers, stakeholders, and DoD representatives to understand their needs and priorities, ensuring technical compliance and delivering mission success with a focus on exceeding expectations.
• Drive system-level engineering activities including CONOPS development, trade studies and product definition.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, including hardware and software, to achieve integrated system solutions.
• Participate in demonstration and experimentation activities at government-sponsored exercises to show JADC2 capabilities.
• Guide implementation of modular open systems architecture (MOSA), AI/ML Solutions and resilient communications frameworks to meet DOD mission needs.
• Analyze mission needs and develop technical roadmaps that advance strategic deterrence capabilities.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
• This position requires up to 50% travel

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
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance or higher.
• Minimum of 10+ years experience in systems engineering or defense systems integration, with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Proven experience supporting JADC2-aligned programs or Strategic Deterrence-related initiatives (e.g., NC3, ICBM modernization, space C2).
• Strong knowledge of military C4ISR systems, cybersecurity principles, and mission assurance frameworks.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition lifecycle and relevant standards (e.g., DoDAF, MIL-STD, NIST).

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Expertise in advanced networking, edge processing, AI/ML for decision support, space-based communication systems, high frequency or very low frequency communications.
• Experience working in joint or interagency environments with cross-domain integration requirements.
• Active DoD TS/SCI Clearance

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.

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 

• Adoption Assistance

• Autism Benefit

• And More!

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning  
• 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  
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• Learn More & Apply Now!

*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.   

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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