Principal Specialist, Program Cost Controls - Analyst; Onsite

Principal Specialist, Program Finance & Control – Schedule Analyst

We are seeking a Principal Specialist, Program Finance & Control – Schedule Analyst to join our team in Cedar Rapids, IA. In this role, you will support the Open Systems Solutions (OSS) organization and collaborate with a dedicated group of Program Finance and Controls (PF&C) professionals. You will help drive the success of our programs by performing detailed analysis, planning, and scheduling tasks to ensure strong program performance and informed decision-making.

This position works closely with teams across Mission Systems, including Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Contracts, and Operations. You will be directly responsible for program schedule development and execution. The role supports a rapidly growing business area, offering opportunities to engage with senior Collins Aerospace leadership, external customers, and government partners.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for supporting scheduling activities of programs which are relatively low in risk and complexity or is portion of larger program
• Monitors and reports performance against plans to ensure the contractual, cost and schedule objectives are met (working closely with cost analyst.)
• Understanding of earned value management practices and procedures, which includes scheduling fundamentals and system tool usage, such as SAP and Microsoft products
• Contributes to the completion of organizational projects and goals. Develops solutions to variety of problems
• Frequent use of technical knowledge and industry scheduling practices, techniques, and standards
• Works with senior specialists to prepare, develop and coordinate the integrated master plan and integrated master schedule to meet program objectives. Ensures major projects are integrated across company functional groups including Finance, Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, etc.
• Tracks plans and schedules, solicits regular updates, identifies and resolves critical path and network logic conflicts. Utilizes milestone charts, earned value management, and other project management techniques to gauge progress and identify performance variances
• Work in parallel with the cost analyst of the program to ensure the cost and schedule are reconciled. Take steps to correct any mismatched items and address root cause
• Contributes ideas for training materials. Offers suggestions for areas in processes or tools that need enhancement
• Experience with integrated schedules and logic networks using Microsoft Project software or have the ability to learn this tool. Background with Microsoft Office applications:
  Excel, Word, Powerpoint
• Understands and complies with requirements in DI-MGMT-81861A, DCMA Schedule Assessment Guide and Planning and Scheduling Excellence Guide
• Abides by company policies and procedures, with special attention to ethics and standards of business conduct
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience
• 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
• Proficient with Microsoft Project

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with Microsoft Office including extensive experience in Excel
• Experience with SAP
• Experience with Earned Value Concepts

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,  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!