Associate Director of Engineering, Command and Control; C2) Architect; Onsite

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:
Top Secret.

Current Security Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required on day 1.

Join Collins Aerospace’s Defense Technology organization and help shape next-generation Command and Control (C2) capabilities. In this role, you will define architectures that determine how future air, space, maritime, and electromagnetic-contested missions are coordinated and executed. You’ll work at the intersection of advanced research, mission strategy, and real operational needs to turn emerging concepts into systems that transform how operators command, sense, and act across Connected Battlespace.

As part of a small, high impact team within Collins Aerospace’s Applied Research & Technology organization, you will explore, prototype, and demonstrate new technologies with the freedom to experiment and move quickly. You’ll have access to world‑class labs, data, and product teams ready to transition what you build into mission‑ready capabilities. Defense Technologies accelerates innovative ideas into solutions for contested environments, including resilient communications and navigation, secure and cyber resilient platforms, advanced sensing, and autonomous systems.

You’ll work close to real missions with clear pathways to validate concepts in the lab, at the range, and on operational platforms.

The ideal candidate will be based onsite at one of the following locations:
Cedar Rapids, IA;
Dulles, VA;
McKinney, TX;
Richardson, TX;
Fort Wayne, IN; or Colorado Springs, CO.

• Lead the creation of C2 architectures that don’t just support the future of the field- they define it, driving mission success and shaping the next era of command and control.
• Validate cutting‑edge architecture concepts and patterns in emerging C2 markets.
• Shape and execute technology roadmaps aligned to future C2 capability needs.
• Partner with strategy teams to assess and influence our approach to new C2 market opportunities.
• Lead system‑level trades, modeling, and analysis that inform key architecture decisions.
• Integrate electronic warfare effector concepts into cohesive, multidomain C2 architectures.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition architectural concepts into executable baselines.
• Deliver high‑impact technical artifacts, including architecture views, gap analyses, and capability roadmaps.
• Engage directly with customers and partners to refine operational needs and align them to technical solutions.
• Represent the organization in internal and external technical forums to advance innovation in C2 systems.

• 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.
• Demonstrated experience with command‑and‑control systems, architectures, or mission workflows.
• Proven ability to perform system‑level analysis and trades for complex mission systems.
• Experience developing or analyzing architectures using industry frameworks (e.g., DoDAF, UML, SysML).
• Familiarity with electronic warfare concepts, cyber operations, or effector systems.
• 7+ years of relevant engineering or architecture experience.
• Active and transferable Top Secret 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.

• Experience…