Associate Director - Advanced Airframes Department Leader

Date Posted : 2025-11-20

Country :

United States of America

Location :

AZ807 : RMS AP Bldg 807 1151 East Hermans Road Building 807, Tucson, AZ, 85756 USA

Position Role Type : Onsite

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

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance : Secret - Current

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

The Hardware Engineering team is at the forefront of designing, developing, and producing cutting-edge hardware solutions. Utilizing state-of-the-art tools, processes, technologies, and our CORE operating principles, our expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical and electrical engineering, manufacturing, technical services, materials science, structural and thermal analysis, testing, and documentation.

Within Hardware Engineering, the Advanced Airframes department, based in Tucson, AZ, leads the development of new missile concepts from their inception through production transition. Focused on advancing technology and enhancing capabilities, this team is responsible for the All-Up Round (AUR) level design and integration of innovative systems.

We are seeking a visionary and strategic Engineering Department Leader to join the Advanced Airframes department. The ideal candidate will have a proven background in effector hardware design, leading large teams, driving innovation in processes, and executing complex programs. This is an opportunity to lead a talented team in developing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that shape the future of defense.

Willingness to relocate to Tucson, AZ, with a relocation package available.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities for the Advanced Airframes Department Leader include, but are not limited to :

Drive Continuous Improvement : Lead the ongoing enhancement of our People, Processes, Tools, and Products to maintain excellence and innovation.

Collaborate on Technology Strategy : Work closely with the Airframe Technical Pyramid Chief Technologist to develop and execute AUR technology roadmaps and composability strategies. Together, promote best practices and lessons learned across hardware products.

Foster Cross-Functional Partnerships : Collaborate extensively with Program Managers, Chief Engineers, CPT and IPT Leads, and Discipline Managers to align and achieve business objectives.

Ensure Process Compliance : Oversee adherence to all phases of the RLPM Gate processes in hardware-related capture activities and programs for AT effector programs to optimize business performance.

Review and Validate Proposals : Evaluate Advanced Airframes technical and cost proposals for accuracy, compliance with established metrics, and alignment with technology roadmaps. Ensure proposals are appropriately staffed.

Monitor Program Execution : Review EACs and Earned Value metrics to ensure program performance meets or exceeds expectations, driving successful execution.

Support Strategic Staffing : Address business needs through effective hiring and staffing strategies to build a strong, capable team.

Develop the Team : Cultivate staff growth through effective performance management, goal setting, individual development plans, career progression opportunities, training, and strategic task assignments.

Lead and Mentor Section Leaders : Provide guidance, coaching, and leadership to Section Leaders to ensure the efficient execution of the design and development process and career development of department members.

Champion RTX Values : Uphold and promote RTX's core values of safety, trust, respect, accountability, collaboration, and innovation in all aspects of leadership and team management.

Ability to gain access to closed areas

Qualifications You Must Have

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws / regulations.

Twelve (12) years of engineering experience, including leadership roles that demonstrate a strong technical and management background.

Experience with technologies and design lifecycles associated with missile products.

Experience leading engineering teams with a focus on driving both technical and cost performance.

Experience with preparing and critically reviewing both technical and cost proposals.

An active and transferable U.S. government-issued security clearance is required prior to the start date, with U.S. citizenship being mandatory.  U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

An advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math, or a related scientific discipline.

Fourteen (14) years of professional experience in the aerospace industry.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence senior leaders effectively.

Ability to quickly build a collaborative network that empowers employees, leads and motivates teams, and fosters a culture of collaboration.

Extensive experience with the Performance Development Process, talent management, and program staffing.

Significant expertise in technical and cost proposal development, technical risk management, and managing cost and schedule for program execution.

Strong business acumen, including experience creating EACs, applying EVMS principles, and holding EVMS certification or PMX Level 6 certification.

Previous experience as a section leader, department leader, or Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead.

Active DoD Top-Secret Clearance.

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value : Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Relocation Eligibility

Learn More & Apply Now! (Optional)

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.

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 147,000 USD - 295,000 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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