Principal Program Manager Jobs in Aurora, IL (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-08-04

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

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:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace delivers the capabilities, portfolio, and expertise needed to solve our customers’ toughest challenges and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead next-generation Open System Architecture product development. This organization develops open standards–compliant modular solutions and enables rapid deployment of mission critical capabilities to the warfighter. As part of Collins Mission Systems, OSS provides advanced communications, flight and ground computing, sensors, cyber solutions, and mission system integration.

This role blends technical program leadership with hands-on systems engineering execution. The successful candidate will lead systems engineering activities, guide and mentor junior engineers, and step in directly to support analyses, integration efforts, or field and lab demonstrations as required. You will also serve as the primary technical focal point for internal leadership and military customers.

What You Will Do
   • Provide technical leadership for the systems engineering team, including defining scope, breaking down work packages, assigning tasks, coaching junior engineers, and ensuring delivery of high quality engineering artifacts
   • Serve as the primary technical authority for the program, guiding system architecture, major trade studies, requirements development, interface definition, and critical design decisions
   • Lead planning, development, integration, demonstrations, and major engineering events, including PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer technical reviews
   • Plan and execute project level work to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives, collaborating closely with program management and cross functional engineering teams
   • Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis and support government reporting requirements
   • Identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities, ensuring proactive resolution and communication
   • Support hands-on execution when necessary, including completing engineering tasks, participating in lab and field integration events, or stepping in to deliver technical demonstrations
   • Lead effective multidisciplinary working sessions and trade studies, facilitating decision-making and driving alignment across systems, hardware, software, and firmware teams
   • Influence technical and operational policies, working across organizational boundaries to shape practices and engineering processes
   • Coach, mentor, and review work of lower-level professionals, fostering technical growth and a strong team culture

   • Up to 25% Travel Required

Qualifications You Must Have

   • Experience with EVM and understanding of government reporting requirements
   • Proven ability to plan and execute engineering work to meet schedule, cost, and performance goals
   • Familiarity with Agile processes and methodologies
   • Experience supporting or integrating systems engineering, software, hardware, and firmware development
   • Active and transferable SECRET clearance is required prior to start date
   • U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
   • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

Qualifications We Prefer

   • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody)
   • Proficiency with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Matlab)
   • Experience with MS Project, Confluence, JIRA, or similar tools
   • Experience in technical risk & opportunity management, interface definition, and configuration management
   • Agile leadership experience (Scrum Master, Product Owner, etc.)
   • Experience with bidding, estimating tools (SEER), and BOE development
   • Familiarity with military CONOPS or radio performance standards
   • Experience in design-to-cost, design-for-manufacturing background, or experience transitioning products to production
   • Existing SAP clearance

What We Offer
    • 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
    • This position is eligible for relocation assistance
    • And more!  

Learn More & 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. 

*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.  

Employee Referral Eligible

#MISENG

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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