Principal Engineer - Design Quality Assurance (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA)
Job Description
Date Posted:
2026-08-17


Country:
United States of America


Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166


Position Role Type:
Onsite


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 Type:
DoD Clearance: Secret


Security Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1
At RTX, the world's 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.
Collins Aerospace Engineering & Technology is looking to hire a Principal Engineer - Design Quality Assurance, who enables quality solutions, capabilities and services to engineering. You will be part of the Design Quality Assurance organization, working closely with stakeholders to ensure the quality of exciting and diverse new design products and develop continual improvement solutions. Quality Engineers are embedded throughout the engineering lifecycle to prevent defects from reaching the customer and to ensure flawless program execution to meet quality, cost, schedule and technical objectives.
This role will be worked onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA. and will require an active or ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. Relocation assistance not available.
What You Will Do:
Interface with the program quality teams, programs, customers, and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), facilitating technical quality and financial performance, and compliance to procedures and contractual requirements.
Closely interface with external and internal customers and key partners to establish effective relationships.
Must have the ability to manage and impact across multiple levels of stakeholders, as it is vital to the success of this role.
You will be responsible for; Delivered products and services to our customers, stakeholders of quality risks, uncertainties and opportunities, key team members in resolution of customer expectations and relationships.
Improving processes or systems using significant conceptualizing, reasoning, and interpretation skills. Problems and issues faced are numerous and undefined, and information is typically difficult to obtain.
Assuring inclusion of quality requirements, planning, and consistency for program proposals and subsequent management of the quality budget.
Monitor / lead root cause corrective action (RCCA) and FRACAS activities for systemic issues and to ensure extensive RCCA.
Generation of new Cost of Quality (CoQ) projects to reduce costs on the program.
Implement Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) as applicable.
Qualifications You Must Have:
Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Experience with Quality Management Systems, to include ISO 9001, AS9100 and/or AS9102
Experience overseeing teams in failure and root cause analysis (RCA), corrective and preventative actions
Experience interpreting technical drawings
Experience with customer deliverables
Qualifications We Prefer:
Active Secret clearance
Experience, knowledge, or exposure to software coding and/or testing
Experience, knowledge, or exposure to knowledge in Agile, DevOps, DevSecOps, Code Analysis and/or Test Automation
Experience, knowledge, or exposure to software test, cybersecurity, software or information assurance
Basis of Estimate and Proposal Experience
Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)/AS9145 and utilizing resources such as Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Key Characteristics, Design Failure Modes, and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Production Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) and/or Control Plans
Experience with Customer Oriented Results and Excellence (CORE) or another Continuous Improvement Program
Experience presenting, reviewing and/or approving changes through a formal Change Control Board (CCB)
Experience, knowledge, or exposure to phases of the development life cycle
Demonstrated Applied Critical Thinking Skills
Ability to influence without authority, experience with cross functional teams
Ability to prioritize workload in a multi-tasking, resource constrained work environment
Excellent written and oral communication skills
What We Offer:
Some of our competitive benefits package includes:
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
And more!
Learn More & Apply Now!
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.
Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).
Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.
Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.
*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 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.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.
Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.
This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.
RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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