Associate Director, Operations New Product Introduction (Hybrid)

Date Posted:

2025-10-24

Country:

United States of America

Location:

HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

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

Security Clearance:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.   

We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Associate Director, New Product Introduction (NPI) for the Connected Battlespace Emerging Capabilities portfolio within Mission Systems. This role will directly manage a team of Operations Program Managers (OPMs), serving as the voice of operations from design concept to initial production.  

Through the RTX Lifecycle Management framework, the NPI team provides operational support and subject matter expertise to facilitate smoother transitions into the production environment.  This role will collaborate closely with Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to solve problems and drive operational decisions that foster program success. 

The ideal candidate is a strong leader with a track record of delivering results in complex environments, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.   

This is a hybrid role working at Cedar Rapids Main facility 3 days onsite or as business needs dictate. 

 

What You Will Do  

People Leadership: 

• Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for executing programs from concept through initial production 

• Set clear performance expectations, provide regular coaching and feedback, and support career development for team members 

• Promote a culture of trust, accountability, and operational excellence 

• Ensure adequate resourcing; manage staffing plans and succession planning 

Operational Readiness & Program Execution: 

• Ensure timely execution of key operational deliverables such as site selection, manufacturing readiness, sourcing strategies, long-lead planning, and risk management 

• Partner with design engineering to ensure early operations engagement to maximize producibility 

Capital Management: 

• Oversee capital funding execution for the portfolio including equipment and infrastructure investments 

• Track and report capital expenditures; ensure alignment with budget and program schedules 

This Opportunity Offers: 

• A leadership role with direct impact on the success of critical programs in the Mission Systems business. 

• The opportunity to build and shape a high-performing team at the intersection of product development and operations.