Associate Director, Program Manager (Value Stream Leader) – ESOC (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-08-05 | Location: Windsor Locks, CT (B1A ~ 1 Hamilton Rd ~ BLDG 1A) or Houston, TX | Onsite role | U.S. citizenship required

About the Role

At Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, you will lead a team of Value Stream Managers supporting program execution, pursuit, and order capture for the ESOC Civil Space portfolio. This role emphasizes meeting program commitments, leading recovery efforts, developing strategic growth plans, and achieving results aligned with contract requirements and deliverables. You will foster relationships with NASA and other external customers, drive program execution, and oversee strategic investments. This is a fully onsite role with approximately 50% travel and eligibility for relocation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Value Stream Leaders and programs through their life cycle, creating cross-business product synergies to support business objectives.
• Assist and support the General Manager in providing day-to-day business oversight to deliver on business commitments.
• Develop a pipeline of talent in Value Stream Leadership.
• Execute strategic focus to meet delivery commitments, exceed customer satisfaction, and achieve growth plans.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for the future of ESOC and gateway solutions.
• Lead bidding efforts and responses to winning proposals.
• Oversee program responsibilities, including cost, schedule, risk management, product support, manufacturing, and quality for all assigned programs.
• Identify and address program challenges, developing solutions such as resource allocation or changes to contractual specifications.
• Ensure customer commitments are met or exceeded, maintaining high customer satisfaction.
• Consolidate and present progress reports at customer, program, or product reviews.
• Manage supplier relationships in coordination with Subcontracts Management.
• Establish cost-focused performance targets and work with teams to achieve these goals.
• Manage significant risks with financial, schedule, and strategic implications for the enterprise.
• Influence and negotiate elements with customers to achieve enterprise commitments while improving customer satisfaction.
• Establish high-level OEM/customer relationships to foster long-term collaboration.
• Communicate a vision to Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and internal/external stakeholders, aligning it with the Space market.
• Plan, direct, and monitor collateral budgets, leading key strategic value streams with long-term revenue potential (5-10 years).
• Oversee strategic R&D investments spanning 1-5 years.
• Serve as the chair of the Integrated Project Team (IPT), managing the contract lifecycle, including cost, schedule, performance, and on-time delivery.
• Drive results aligned with contractual requirements, internal objectives, and customer success.
• Serve as the primary face of the organization to clients and customers, building strong affinity and trust.
• Oversee profit & loss (P&L), contract fulfillment, and customer engagement to ensure program and business success.

Requirements

• University Degree and minimum 12 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with NASA programs, standards, or mission support systems, including collaboration with NASA centers or participation in federally funded aerospace initiatives.
• Experience with earned value management systems and their application in program execution.
• Experience with program execution of government contracts, including guiding teams through RFI, competitive proposals, negotiations, and contract awards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in the space market with the ability to identify and implement best practices within Collins Aerospace.
• Familiarity with Mission Systems business, technical, and performance management practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with 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: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, and 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.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $157,200 USD - $298,800 USD. The range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may also be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs, depending on the level of the position and whether it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Schedule

• Fully onsite role with approximately 50% travel.