Test Engineering Manager - Ejection Seats
RTX· Defense· Oct 14, 2026 · 13d ago
Colorado Springs, CO
In office
Full-time
Manager
$158K–$227K est.
8+ years exp
Job description
Date Posted:
2026-10-14 Country:
United States of America Location:
US-CO-COLORADO SPRINGS-793 ~ 1225 Aeroplaza Dr ~ AEROPLAZA 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
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.
Our Colorado Springs Division is recognized as the leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing aerospace ejection seating products. Our state-of-the-art ACES 5 Ejection Seat is recognized as the benchmark in aircrew ejection safety. Thousands of Collins ejection seats are in service today on F-15, F-16, A-10, B-1, B-2, AV-8, WB-57, and other aircraft across the world in more than 25 countries. ACES ejection seats have saved the lives of more than 700 aircrew over the last few decades.
Collins Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated and experienced M4 Test Manager to lead and manage the Ejection Seats Test Engineering Team under the guidance of the SEIT Leader. The M4 Test Manager will play a critical role in program execution, test planning, resource management, and team leadership. This role requires a dynamic individual who can balance individual contributor tasks with leadership responsibilities, ensuring alignment with SEIT objectives and program milestones.
The M4 Test Manager will spend approximately 50% of their time on individual contributor tasks and 50% on management responsibilities. This position offers an opportunity to grow alongside SEIT leadership and contribute to the success of RTX s mission-critical programs.
Sign-on Bonus Eligible
What You Will Do
Program Work/Task Planning: Lead program test work/task planning for sprints and increments in collaboration with SEIT Leader, ensuring alignment with SEIT and program deliverables.
Demand & Staffing Forecasting: Assist SEIT Leader with staffing projections by analyzing data and providing recommendations to optimize test team resources.
Hiring: Own the hiring process for test engineering roles, including posting, interviewing, and decision-making, with support from SEIT Leader.
Test Assignment and Scheduling: Oversee test assignments and scheduling to meet program needs, ensuring alignment with SEIT and program milestones.
Bid and Proposal (B&P) Support: Manage the test engineering portion of B&P efforts, by completing the test bid portions or reviewing all test team bids and escalating for approval to SEIT Leader.
Program, Milestone, and Customer Support: Provide recommendations to ensure alignment of test schedules, resources, durations, and deliverables with program plans. Collaborate closely with Program Management Team (PMT) and SEIT Leader on milestone and program planning, ensuring test expertise is leveraged effectively.
CAM Reviews: Take ownership of test team execution performance in collaboration with Project Engineer’s (PE) to address and justify variances during cost account management (CAM) reviews.
Leadership and Personnel Management: Conduct regular one-on-one career development discussions with team members, providing mentorship and guidance. Manage personnel issues, performance reviews, and team goal planning, escalating to SEIT M5 as needed. Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to support team growth and development. Partner with SEIT Leader to align team goals with broader SEIT objectives.
Test Discipline Collaboration: Partner with SEIT Leader and Discipline Chief Engineers (DCE) to define test processes, support roadmaps, and drive process improvements. Collaborate with SEIT Leader to define personnel development opportunities and training initiatives.
Sled Test Execution Support: Coordinate with SEIT Leader and test site leadership on test execution and resource allocation to achieve program objectives.
This role is designed to foster collaboration and partnership between the Test M4 Manager and the SEIT Leader; ensuring the success of the test engineering team while supporting the professional growth of the Test M4 Manager.
Qualifications You Must Have
Extensive experience in test engineering, test program execution, and leadership in a similar industry (aerospace or defense preferred).
Experience in SEIT practices and test execution methodologies.
Experience in industry standards, compliance, and best practices.
Experience with managing multiple priorities, including program execution, resource management to foster collaboration and align teams with organizational goals.
Experience with reviewing technical bids and proposals, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
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
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.
Qualifications We Prefer
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to mentor and guide team members.
Strong analytical skills to support technical analysis and contribute to the strategic test vision.
What We Offer:
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
May be eligible for Relocation
And more!
Learn More & Apply Now!
Mission Systems:
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 consider the following role type definitions 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.
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.
#MISENG
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 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.
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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Dental
Vision
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Wellness