Associate Director, Cyber Operations R&D (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-01-09

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. 

Collins Applied Research & Technology seeks an Associate Director of Cyber Operations to lead a multi-disciplinary department of software, systems, cyber, and firmware engineers working together to deliver next-generation cyber operation capabilities to the connected battlespace.  As a technology leader, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading a portfolio of engineering activities focused on the security of military platforms, including radio communications, autonomous platforms, and air vehicles.  This is a fast-paced position focused on delivering rapid, new, and disruptive capabilities to our defense customers.  The candidate will be challenged with developing novel security technology applicable and transitioning it to real-world practice. 

The person in this role should be self-motivated, serving as a key contributor to strategic planning, business development, and engagement across our customer stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess prior experience in defense platforms, cyber security, and computer network operations.  The candidate should be comfortable to collaborate with business partners, defense customers, and government to solve hard problems and deliver new innovations in security cyber physical systems. 

What You Will Do:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of engineers responsible for development and rapid maturation of next-generation cyber capabilities

• Engage with defense partners to rapidly transition new technology innovations to operational practice, incorporating early customer feedback and ensuring alignment

• Recruit, retain, and professionally develop engineering talent across the team

• Provide strategic input on technology roadmaps, investments in innovation, and product improvements across Collins cyber portfolio

• Collaborate across the Applied Research & Technology organization, RTX businesses, and other business partners to identify new opportunities and innovations

• Promote engagement with defense customers for the capture of new research and development contracts

• Oversee the execution of complex customer funded programs, facilitating the transition from advanced research to practical operationalization at tactically relevant timescales

• Cultivate a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Oversee departmental resource allocation, including budget management, staffing projections, and laboratory capital expenditures.

• Travel up to 20%

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 and transferable U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start date 

• Experience leading teams conducting engineering and rapid prototype development

• Recognized expertise in cyber security, software design, and/or systems engineering

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience leading technologists in an R&D environment

• Experience with US DoD 6.2 and 6.3 research organizations (DARPA, AFRL, ONR, NRL, ARL)

• Experience with competitive intelligence and competitive intelligence methods in the cyber operations domain

• Experience leading pursuit & capture activities for government S&T programs.

• Experience with battle management systems, tactical communications, and/or military platforms

• Experience in developing, integrating, and certifying new cyber operation technologies

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 Applied Research and Technology 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 

• 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  

• Eligible for relocation assistance

• And more!  

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.  

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 157,200 USD - 298,800 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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