Director, Strategy – Resilient Connectivity (Mission Strategy) (Hybrid)

RTX•Cedar Rapids, IA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Collins Aerospace is seeking an experienced strategy leader to lead the Resilient Connectivity pillar of the Connected Battlespace Strategy that will drive growth, innovation, and competitive advantage for Mission Systems. In this individual contributor role, you will help define long term strategic direction and identify opportunities that strengthen mission effectiveness and support reliable communications across increasingly complex operational environments. This position sits at the intersection of military communications, emerging technologies, and business strategy, requiring a strong understanding of tactical networks and connectivity solutions that support mission success in contested and denied environments. You will lead strategic initiatives that influence investment decisions, technology priorities, and capability roadmaps through expertise, collaboration, and influence rather than direct people leadership. Working closely with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders, you will translate operational challenges and customer needs into actionable strategies that shape future capability development. From identifying technology gaps and evaluating market trends to supporting executive decision making and long-term planning, this role offers the opportunity to help define how resilient communications and networking capabilities evolve to support the modern battlespace. This is a hybrid role with the ability to be present onsite at one of our primary facilities (Cedar Rapids, IA; El Segundo, CA; McKinney, TX; or Dulles, VA).

Requirements

Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 14 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 12 years of experience
Experience developing or supporting military communications, tactical networking, connectivity architectures, or mission communication environments
Experience developing strategy, roadmaps, or investment priorities for complex defense, aerospace, intelligence, or mission critical technology programs
Experience translating operational requirements or customer needs into technology strategies, capability roadmaps, or investment decisions
Experience working cross functionally with technical and business teams to influence strategic direction
Experience presenting recommendations, analyses, and strategic decisions to senior leaders or executive stakeholders
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

Nice To Haves

Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred
10+ years of experience supporting one or more of the following areas: Tactical communications, military networking systems, resilient communications architectures, software defined networking, SATCOM, mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), mesh networking, tactical data links, Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2), communications transport systems, or contested communications environments
Experience supporting communications capabilities in denied, degraded, intermittent, or contested operational environments
Experience integrating commercial technologies and capabilities into military communication systems and architectures
Experience with defense modernization efforts and evolving military operational concepts
Experience working with U.S. Department of War customers, military Combatant Commands, and/or government agencies
Experience developing technology roadmaps, portfolio strategies, and/or investment business cases
MBA or advanced technical degree preferred

Responsibilities

Lead strategic development and execution for the Resilient Connectivity pillar within the Connected Battlespace Strategy, shaping long term technology direction and identifying growth opportunities across Mission Systems
Develop and drive strategies focused on delivering persistent, resilient communications capabilities that enable mission success in contested, degraded, and denied operational environments
Partner with engineering, business development, programs, operations, and senior leadership teams to identify capability gaps and define investment priorities aligned with customer requirements and long-term business objectives
Lead Mission Systems strategic investment planning activities, including Long Range Planning (LRP), technology prioritization, and capability roadmap development
Conduct market, customer, competitive, and technology assessments to identify emerging trends and opportunities across military communications and networking environments
Translate operational challenges, customer requirements, and future mission needs into actionable technology strategies and investment priorities
Develop capability gap closure plans and long-term technology roadmaps supporting future communications and connectivity requirements
Prepare and deliver executive level recommendations and strategic presentations related to investments, technology direction, and market positioning
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, government organizations, industry partners, and technology teams, to align strategic initiatives and influence future capability development

Benefits

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.
Relocation Eligibility