Systems Engineering Director, Resilient Navigation (Onsite)

Location: Melbourne, FL (Onsite)

This job requires a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).

About the Role

Applied Research & Technology (ART) is seeking a Systems Engineering Director to lead Resilient Navigation strategy within the Advanced CNS Sandbox. As a technical lead, you will shape the future of commercial aircraft navigation technologies, driving concepts from early research through transition into differentiated, market-ready capabilities for our Avionics product lines. You will serve as the technical authority and strategic connector between ART and Avionics, ensuring innovation aligns with business priorities and customer needs.

We’re looking for a recognized expert in navigation technologies with experience spanning research, technology maturation, and product strategy, and who brings a collaborative, future-focused mindset. As a member of the Advanced CNS Sandbox leadership team, you will influence strategic planning, business development, and stakeholder engagement. The role is highly visible, with direct interaction across aircraft manufacturers, regulatory and standards bodies, and suppliers. The director will also guide technical staff development, uphold performance and integrity standards, and proactively plan for evolving team and customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Resilient Navigation technology roadmap within the Advanced CNS Sandbox, addressing both core navigation technologies (GNSS, inertial, vision, DME, advanced antennas, etc.) and capability-oriented views of overall aircraft-level navigation system architecture.
• Provide domain expertise to a team of navigation system technologists, developing and demonstrating novel navigation capabilities from initial laboratory characterization through to flight test campaigns.
• Be a trusted partner to our Avionics product lines, contributing to product line & business strategy, supporting technology maturation, and solving difficult problems.
• Engage with international standardization & regulatory organizations to develop next-generation standards & operational concepts that deliver quantifiable benefits to industry challenges.
• Monitor emerging technologies that may be relevant for next-generation aircraft capabilities, including experimental characterization of potential operational benefits.
• Provide competitive advantage for Collins Aerospace business units as part of a multidisciplinary and international team of experts through contributions towards technical strategy and business development.

Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 14 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 12 years of experience.
• U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee or asylee status).
• Proven industry recognition in aircraft navigation technologies, including contributions spanning concept definition, system demonstration, and fielded deployment.
• Established technical proficiency in navigation systems, supported by experience in modeling and simulation, algorithm development and implementation, resilience and safety methodologies, and system-level architecture and design.
• Documented ability to evaluate conventional technical approaches, develop innovative solutions to complex problems, and advance new concepts within commercial aviation safety, regulatory, and certification frameworks.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in organizing work, communicating across technical and business audiences, and collaborating with global, cross-functional teams.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in related engineering fields.
• Motivated self-starter with a strong enthusiasm to learn and a passion for the speed and agility necessary to deliver disruptive technologies.
• Well-organized with excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills for effective collaboration across a global team.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with universities, government agencies, national labs, and professional organizations to meet organizational objectives within time and budget constraints.

Benefits

• 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.

Pay

The salary range for this role is 186,200 USD - 353,800 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.