Continuous Improvement Leader (CORE Leader) (onsite)

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.

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