Manufacturing Program Specialist; Onsite

Overview

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in advanced aerospace and defense solutions. We are looking for a Principal Manufacturing Program Specialist to join our New Product Introduction team in Cedar Rapids, IA, focusing on the execution of daily activities to deliver high‑quality development hardware on‑time to engineering and customers.

• Provide point‑of‑contact for daily manufacturing activities and coordinate cross‑functional support across the integrated product team.
• Lead operational program management for small‑scale projects, ensuring alignment with program objectives and schedule adherence.
• Support the New Product Introduction (NPI) team in rolling out policies, practices, and procedures.
• Assist with Manufacturing Readiness Assessments, producibility tenants, and program planning.
• Execute builds for development programs, track schedule and financial performance, and report critical customer deliveries using Line of Balance and project plans.
• Communicate material availability, resource planning, and configuration management status to stakeholders.
• Spearhead the movement of parts through move orders, stock transfers, and shipping requests.
• Monitor and track project performance using metrics; collaborate with production control, procurement, and master scheduling to maintain accurate material master data and minimize inventory balances.
• Coordinate with quality assurance, manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, inventory control, and traffic groups to maximize operational efficiency.
• Review drawings with program and engineering teams for production readiness.
• Apply RTX CORE and lean principles to recommend solutions that mitigate delays, address cost changes, and improve performance.

• Minimum of a university degree with five years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with at least three years of experience.
• Experience with SAP or another MRP system in manufacturing environments, focusing on material availability and work‑in‑progress prioritization.
• Proven direct or cross‑functional leadership of teams or projects delivering organizational results.
• Solid manufacturing and operations experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Active Secret security clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) projects and lifecycle management is preferred.
• Knowledge of production operations and project management is preferred.

Salary range: 86,800 USD – 165,200 USD. Compensation is based on experience, skill set, and qualifications.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• 401(k) with employer match and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student loan repayment program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional pet, 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 with up to ten free counseling sessions
• Health incentives, wellness rewards program, virtual doctor visits, doctor on demand, and medical experts
• Bright Horizons child and elder care services, and telehealth options

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, 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.