Principal Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - Design for Automation (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-07-13

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-WEST DES MOINES-811 ~ 811 4th St ~ 4TH

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 certain necessary systems.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

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. Joining Collins Aerospace isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about becoming part of a mission to lead the future of aerospace manufacturing through innovation and advanced manufacturing transformation.

Are you ready to advance your career in advanced manufacturing? We are hiring an operations automation engineer to join our cutting-edge operations technology team at Collins Aerospace - Power and Controls. This role is hands-on and dynamic, working directly with production teams and modern automation technologies to transform our shop floor into a fully connected, data-driven, manufacturing environment. In this role you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams across the site and enterprise to deliver intelligent automation systems, increase visibility, and enable data-driven decision-making across our operations. From deploying robotics, leading large scale initiatives, and participating in new product introduction (NPI) strategies, your work will drive the next generation of aerospace manufacturing. Help us lead the factory of the future revolution in aerospace.

Location: This position can sit onsite in either West Des Moines, IA (preferred) or Windsor Locks, CT.

This role is eligible for relocation assistance.

This role may expect up to 25% Travel.

What You Will Do

• Support deployment and troubleshooting of robotics systems (e.g., collaborative robots, CNC automation) and integrate them with broader control systems.
• Lead or contribute to machine connectivity initiatives, including network configuration, tag structuring, and data modeling to enable smart factory capabilities.
• Participate in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Automation (DFA) initiatives, providing manufacturing and automation expertise to ensure next-generation products are designed for efficient automation.
• Create and manage the budget for automation projects, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial constraints.
• Develop training programs for staff to effectively use new technologies and provide ongoing support.
• Develop and maintain roadmaps for continuous innovation, maintenance, and enhancement of automation, smart factory initiatives, and software.
• Authoring and/or contributing to statements of work, supplier selection, factory & site acceptance testing, and release to production for medium and large capital projects.

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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Digital Technology, Computer Science or related discipline
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of motivating and developing teams.
• Strong expertise in automation technologies, including robotics, Industrial IoT (IIoT) platforms and connectivity, with a solid foundation in traditional manufacturing concepts and processes.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work across functions and engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Familiarity with industry standards, safety regulations, and best practices in manufacturing and technology.
• Lean Certification (CORE)
• Experience designing and implementing automated process improvements.

• Experience working with NPI

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!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to 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.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

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.