Hardware Program Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-08-04

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

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 Operations Program Manager (OPM) for the CBEC portfolio will serve as a key operational partner supporting early-stage product development, prototype hardware, and emerging technology programs. Unlike traditional OPM roles heavily focused on factory transition and end-of-life activities, this position is uniquely centered on shaping products during their earliest phases—where the opportunity for improvement, producibility enhancement, and cross-functional alignment is greatest.

We are seeking an OPM who is well versed in multiple Operations disciplines—ideally engineering- industrial, mechanical, test, or manufacturing engineering—who can embed technical rigor into design decisions, prototype builds, and early producibility strategy. Responsible for setting product development strategies that ensure the long-term viability of product producibility.  The OPM’s primary focus is to deliver new product designs to Manufacturing that result in the lowest material, assembly, and test cost possible while meeting the cost, schedule, and scope commitments of the design & development (NRE) program.

What You Will Do

• Lead operational execution for early development and prototype hardware within the CBEC portfolio, focusing on design influence, manufacturability, and readiness for future scale-up.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, and Manufacturing to identify producibility opportunities early and drive improvements before products mature.
• Support prototype build planning, hardware readiness reviews, early test strategies, and hands-on issue resolution.
• Drive identification and mitigation of operational risks related to design decisions, manufacturability constraints, test methodologies, and prototype build flows.
• Champion early producibility improvements, ensuring lessons learned are captured, communicated, and integrated back into engineering and process development.
• Translate engineering concepts into practical manufacturing approaches using industrial and mechanical engineering principles.
• Collaborate with Test Engineering to shape early test strategies that balance maturity, throughput, and cost.
• Support creation and refinement of early build documentation, including prototype BOMs, preliminary routings, tooling concepts, and test processes.
• Lead cross-functional engagement without direct authority, ensuring teams remain aligned through rapid design changes and prototype iterations.
• Provide capital project management support for operations-related upgrades and capability investments, including scoping, planning, coordinating installation activities, and ensuring alignment with long-term producibility and factory strategy.
• Communicate program status, readiness indicators, risks, and improvements to leadership with clarity and technical depth.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• An existing or the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Clearance
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience supporting early development, engineering builds, or prototype hardware with strong focus on producibility.
• Strong technical foundation in factory processes, test strategy, design-for-manufacturing, and operations engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive alignment across engineering and operations teams without formal authority.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a hands-on, detail-oriented approach.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Qualifications We Prefer

• Familiarity with CBEC products or comparable complex electronic/avionic systems.
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA, PFMEA, prototype flow management, and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Experience supporting capital projects or facility upgrades linked to manufacturing capability improvements.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems and analyzing manufacturing or engineering data.

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.

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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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