Job Description

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.

We’re looking for a proven leader to take on a key role within Collins Strategic Communications Systems. As the Level 4 Value Stream Leader (VSL), you’ll be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of important sustainment and modernization programs. This role directly manages a team of Value Stream Leaders and is accountable for the overall performance of their assigned programs, team, and profit center.

The VSL role combines three core responsibilities: delivering on financial commitments, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring successful execution across multiple programs. It requires someone who is comfortable making decisions, managing complexity, and working across functions to get results. This role is also customer-facing, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills to ensure alignment, responsiveness, and trust with key government and industry partners.

This is a critical leadership role with direct influence on the success of our mission and the teams who deliver it. Key attributes needed to align with the business culture include a candidate who is People Focused, has a One Team mentality and is Mission Driven.

• One Team - This leader will foster a collaborative environment, build strong internal and customer relationships, and enable open communication to have high-performing and effective program teams.

• People Focused - We develop talent, and are passionate about building knowledge. This position will own the performance development for the leaders in their organization.

• Mission Driven - Providing critical capabilities, for no fail missions, in support of our Nation’s defense is part of our legacy and motivation, and meeting commitments is our priority.

What You Will Do

As the Level 4 Value Stream Leader, you will lead a team responsible for driving execution across a portfolio of sustainment and modernization programs. Your role combines financial leadership, program execution, customer engagement, and team development. Key responsibilities include:

Financial and Forecasting Leadership

• Lead the VSL team in providing timely and accurate inputs for quarterly forecasts and monthly flash cycles

• Ensure non-recurring engineering (NRE) cost elements are reviewed for timing, risk, and alignment with program phases

• Partner with Operations to develop reliable production forecasts, factoring in delivery schedules and risk

• Maintain accurate orders forecasts in collaboration with the Business Development team, including order timing, value, and probability of win

• Track and communicate anticipated sales resulting from new orders to maintain revenue predictability

• Drive preparation of Strategic Financial Plan inputs in partnership with Operations, Engineering, and Business Development

Program Execution and Strategy

• Set and execute short-, mid-, and long-term objectives aligned with customer goals and the Strategic Communications Systems strategy

• Ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance targets are met for internal stakeholders and external customers

• Lead program reviews, goal setting activities, and customer engagements—owning program status updates and escalation paths as needed

• Maintain oversight of Estimates at Completion (EACs) and ensure compliance with EVMS, CMS/RLPM, and quality requirements

• Champion innovation by challenging the status quo and helping shape strategies that improve the business

Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Provide daily leadership for a team of direct and matrixed employees, fostering a high-performance, customer-focused culture

• Drive accountability across the team while empowering Value Stream Leaders to own and lead their areas of responsibility

• Support recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and development planning across the organization

• Lead regular performance discussions including goal-setting, mid-year check-ins, and year-end reviews

• Facilitate annual compensation planning that reflects performance and contribution

Customer and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with both internal and external customers

• Communicate effectively across all levels of leadership—internally and externally—to ensure alignment and program success

• Partner with site leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to negotiate program needs and deliver on commitments

• Represent the team and portfolio in executive-level forums, providing program updates and strategic insights

• Travel required - up to 25%

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret Security Clearance is required prior to start date ​

• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

• Experience leading a strategic program through all phases of execution for military customers

• Experience leading program/project teams

Qualifications We Prefer

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance preferred

• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, manufacturing environment

• Strong people leadership and organization skills

• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

• Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma experience is strongly preferred

• Meet Collins/RTX Enterprise Values including Ethical Behavior, Customer Focused Improvement, Accountability & Teamwork and Openness & Trust

• Superior attention to detail and drive for excellence

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal