Director of Engineering, Product Line Design

Date Posted:

2026-05-27

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-NC-WINSTON SALEM-190 ~ 190 Oak Plaza Blvd ~ BLDG 190

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Director of Engineering, Product Line Design owns the end‑to‑end design leadership, platform architecture, and technical stewardship for CS&F product families. This individual will be reporting to the Executive Director of Interior Engineering for Commercial Seating & Furniture. This role will be an on-site role in Winston-Salem, NC and would be eligible for relocation assistance. This role sets the design strategy and standards for seating and furniture platforms; ensures our products meet market needs for ergonomics, durability, sustainability, and aesthetics; and delivers manufacturable, cost‑right designs that pass verification on the first try. You will lead a team of product line engineers and technical specialists, partner closely with Industrial Design and Product Management, and serve as the design authority for the portfolio.

What You Will Do:

 Product Line Strategy & Architecture

• Define product line roadmaps and technical strategies aligned to market requirements, design language, and cost/price positioning
• Own platform architecture and modularity (common mechanisms, frames, arms/bases, upholstery kits) to increase reuse, reduce complexity, and accelerate time‑to‑market
• Translate requirements to specs: ergonomics, anthropometric ranges, comfort targets, durability, acoustic, sustainability (recycled content, circularity, reparability), and compliance

Design Quality, Standards & Methods

• Establish and govern Engineering standards: Gated Design Process, Design Best Practices, and internal design controls
• Govern drawing/model quality: GD&T, release discipline, BoM accuracy, configuration control
• Change reduction & EBOM quality
• Design reviews & sign‑offs: chair multi‑disciplinary reviews; adjudicate risks; require evidence (DFMEA/PFMEA, stress/FEA, reliability growth plans, supplier capability data)
   

Cost/ Value Optimization

• Lead engineering content for successful launches: mature designs to APQP process standards, incorporating DFA and DFM through design development process
• Own cost & value outcomes: drive VAVE pathways (materials, processes, simplification, modular reuse); maintain should‑cost models and variance control
• Reduce rework & cycle time through robust standards, reusable designs, reference models, and lessons‑learned libraries

Cross-Functional & Supplier Partnership 

• Partner with Industrial Design to harmonize aesthetics with manufacturability, durability, and ergonomics—protecting brand design language while meeting engineering targets
• Collaborate with Operations & Quality on process DFM/DFA, control plans, and process capability studies
• Engage suppliers technically: capability assessments, DFM/DFS workshops, production readiness and capability, and joint reliability improvements

People Leadership & Culture 

• Build and lead a high-performing team of program managers, systems engineers, and methods/process specialists
• Develop talent: mentoring, skill roadmaps, succession planning
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and curiosity—where engineers own the outcome and bring solution options to the most difficult problems

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 14 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 12 years of experience