Continuous Improvement Leader (CORE Leader) (onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-07-29

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

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 information under this program/contract.

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.

The CORE Leader (Senior Manager) serves as the site and/or multi-site strategic leader for Continuous Improvement, responsible for advancing and sustaining the CORE (Customer Oriented Results & Excellence) operating system across the organization. This role provides senior-level leadership, governance, and execution oversight of enterprise improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, operational maturity, waste elimination, and cultural adoption of CI methodologies.

The CORE Leader influences long‑term strategy, partners with senior site leadership, and ensures alignment with RTX standards, CORE maturity expectations, and business objectives. This role leads high-impact transformation projects, develops CI capabilities across all organizational levels, and drives measurable business results.

Role based at Mission Systems (Cedar Rapids, IA) with routine visits to the Coralville facility with responsibility to support business travel up to 25% (domestic). Work may involve being present in production areas with noise, machinery, and industrial environmental conditions.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Leadership & Deployment

• Lead the strategic direction, long‑term planning, and governance of CORE deployment across one large site or multiple sites.

• Align CI priorities with business strategy, cost reduction goals, productivity improvements, quality enhancements, and customer commitments.

• Serve as senior advisor to site leadership teams on operational excellence, transformation planning, and CORE maturity development.

Continuous Improvement Execution

• Oversee complex, cross-functional improvement initiatives that impact productivity, cost structure, delivery performance, scrap/rework reduction, equipment reliability, and safety.

• Sponsor major Kaizen events, Lean transformations, and structured problem-solving activities; ensure outcomes translate into sustainable process changes.

Capability Development

• Mentor and develop junior CORE Leaders, CI practitioners, engineers, and operational leaders to build enterprise CI capability.

• Establish training programs across Lean, Six Sigma, CORE tools, and structured problem solving; ensure adoption and certification cadence.

Governance, Metrics & Performance Management

• Define and track enterprise-level KPI improvements driven by CORE initiatives.
  Ensure effective project governance, including maturity assessments, rigorous action plan management, and reporting to senior leadership.

• Use data-driven insights to identify systemic issues, risk areas, and long-term performance improvement opportunities.

Collaboration & Best Practice Sharing

• Partner with other CORE leaders and functional leaders across the business to standardize best practices, CI methodologies, and site operating system maturity.

• Influence the broader RTX CI community by sharing lessons learned, scalable solutions, and enterprise improvement strategies.

Compliance & Operational Integrity

• Ensure CORE initiatives meet all applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance requirements.

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence across all functional areas.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years’ experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or related field.

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale CI or Lean transformations within complex operations environments.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Lean/Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or equivalent) or Advanced knowledge of Lean, CORE, Six Sigma, and modern CI methodologies.

• Experience leading multi-site transformation initiatives.

• Strong leadership capability, including influencing senior leaders and mentoring CI teams.

• High proficiency with operational data analytics, KPI interpretation, and performance management.

What We Offer

This role offers relocation support.

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! 

At Collins Aerospace, our Interiors team is focused on innovation, safety and cost efficiency. But we don’t just get people from point A to point B. We’re committed to making air travel more comfortable, connected and secure. As a leader in aviation interior products and services, we’re helping airlines and original equipment manufacturers create a positive experience for their customers. With offices and manufacturing facilities in more than 12 states across the U.S. and more than 10 countries around the globe, we’re changing the game of aircraft interiors. Are you ready to join our team?

*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. Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

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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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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