Associate Director, Military Avionics FMS Systems Architect - Staff Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-09-29

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:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance:

None/Not Required

Collins Aerospace is looking for an experienced FMS (Flight Management Systems) Systems Architect to join our development team within Military Avionics.  In this highly visible staff role, you’ll lead architecture and design across fixed- and rotary-wing platforms, guide teams in advancing our Display & Flight Management capabilities and represent the organization with customers and executives.  This role reports directly to the Display & Flight Management Applications (D&FM) Engineering Director, and is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Product Summary:

CAAS/Flight 2 Flight Management Solutions - Our signature products for Military Avionics and Helicopters as part of the Collins Integrated Avionics Systems, fielded on thousands of aircraft today, at this moment. Specific capabilities include FMS (Flight Management Systems), Performance Application, System Manager, Comm, Flight Director, and Flight Controls. Please see the following links for more details: 

• https://www.collinsaerospace.com/what-we-do/industries/helicopters/rotary-wing/common-avionics-architecture-system
• https://www.collinsaerospace.com/what-we-do/industries/military-and-defense/avionics/integrated-cockpit-solutions/flight2

What You Will Do:

• You will lead teams in developing architecture, design, requirements, and test strategies for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms as part of the Flight Management leadership team
• You will champion by coaching, mentoring, and training FMS engineers, technical leads, and product owners to strengthen the technical depth of the organization.
• You will act as subject matter expert in bids, critical design reviews (CDRs), design approval reviews (DARs), and other program gate reviews
• You will drive strategic initiatives that advance Display & Flight Management Apps capabilities across the organization
• You will collaborate with platform engineering and software teams to identify, manage, and resolve dependencies for shared features
• You will engage with program teams and customers to ensure solutions meet mission needs and exceed performance expectations
• You will represent the Display & Flight Management Apps organization in executive and customer reviews
• 5-10% travel as needed.

What You Will Learn:

• You will expand your leadership impact by working at the forefront of cutting-edge avionics systems in Military Applications
• You will grow your impact as a highly visible SME, shaping software solutions that enhance the operational capabilities of aircraft worldwide
• You will broaden your technical and strategic perspective through direct engagement with executive leadership, global customers, and cross-domain engineering teams

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.
• Significant experience and depth with Collins FMS products, including system architecture and concepts.
• Proven track record in DO-178 or other certification-based development processes for safety- or mission-critical software.
• Significant experience in systems engineering, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Hands-on experience in the design, development, and integration of deliverable software in production environments.
• Familiarity with Python or similar scripting languages for automation, analysis, or test support.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies in a complex, multi-team environment.
• Ability to contribute to formal proposals, bids, and in-process technical reviews, representing the organization with both customers and executives.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience with JIRA
• Experience with PREP or a similar peer review tool

What We Offer:

Benefits:

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 may be eligible for relocation.

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. 

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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