Associate Research Scientist Jobs in Springfield, MA

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.

The Associate Director, Value Stream Management – ESOC will lead a team of Value Stream Managers to support program execution, pursuit, and order capture across a cross-functional team responsible for the design, development, integration, testing, and support of the ESOC Civil Space portfolio. This position emphasizes meeting program commitments, leading program recovery efforts, assisting in the development of a business plan for strategic growth in the space segment, and achieving results aligned with contract requirements as well as all internal and external deliverables. The role also provides the opportunity to foster and maintain positive relationships with NASA and other external customers. 

• This is a fully onsite role that can sit at either one of the following Collins locations: Windsor Locks, CT or Houston, TX.

• This role is eligible for relocation.

• Position will require approximately 50% travel.

What You Will Do 

• Lead and manage a team of Value Stream Leaders and programs through their life cycle, creating cross-business product synergies to support business objectives

• Assist and support the General Manager in providing day-to-day business oversight to deliver on business commitments

• Develop a pipeline of talent in Value Stream Leadership

• Execute strategic focus to meet delivery commitments, exceed customer satisfaction, and achieve growth plans

• Develop strategic roadmaps for the future of ESOC and gateway solutions

• Lead bidding efforts and responses to winning proposals

• Execute and oversee program responsibilities, including cost, schedule, risk management, product support, manufacturing, and quality for all assigned programs

• Identify and address program challenges, developing solutions such as resource allocation or changes to contractual specifications

• Ensure customer commitments are met or exceeded, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction

• Consolidate and present progress reports at customer, program, or product reviews

• Manage supplier relationships in coordination with Subcontracts Management

• Establish cost-focused performance targets and work with teams to achieve these goals

• Manage significant risks with financial, schedule, and strategic implications for the enterprise

• Influence and negotiate elements with customers to achieve enterprise commitments while improving customer satisfaction

• Establish high-level OEM/customer relationships to foster long-term collaboration

• Communicate a vision to Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and internal/external stakeholders, connecting how the vision aligns with the Space market

• Plan, direct, and monitor collateral budgets, while leading key strategic value streams with long-term revenue potential and an impact lasting 5-10 years

• Oversee strategic R&D investments spanning 1-5 years, as appropriate

Additional Responsibilities

• Serve as the chair of the Integrated Project Team (IPT), responsible for managing the contract lifecycle, including cost, schedule, performance, and on-time delivery of company programs or subsystems of major programs

• Drive results aligned with contractual requirements, internal objectives, and customer success

• Serve as the primary face of the organization to clients and customers, building strong affinity and trust

• Oversee profit & loss (P&L), contract fulfillment, and customer engagement to ensure program and business success

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience

• Requires demonstrated experience working with NASA programs, standards, or mission support systems, including collaboration with NASA centers or participation in federally funded aerospace initiatives

• Prior experience and understanding of earned value management systems and their application in program execution

• Experience with program execution of government contracts, including guiding teams through RFI, competitive proposals, negotiations, and contract awards

Qualifications We Prefer

• Prior experience working in the space market with the ability to identify and implement best practices within Collins Aerospace

• Familiarity with Mission Systems business, technical, and performance management practices is desired but not required

Role Type

*Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

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.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

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 and Apply Now!

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. ​

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.