Design To Cost Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted : 2025-08-22

Country :

United States of America

Location :

HIA32 : Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

Position Role Type : Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements :

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

Security Clearance :

DoD Clearance : Secret

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.

This position is for an Electrical / Mechanical Engineer to perform design cost management. The primary focus of this position will be to provide DTC support for product design and development in Mission Systems programs.

Responsibility involves actively incorporating cost considerations into every aspect of the product design process, ensuring that design decisions are made with the primary goal of achieving a specific target cost while still meeting functional and quality requirements, typically by analyzing material selection, manufacturing methods, and assembly procedures early in the design phase to optimize costs throughout the product lifecycle.

Design to Cost provides project teams with a leadership role for achieving recurring cost requirements through the application of innovative cost reduction strategies. The role allows for a complete Life Cycle approach to cost management from the inception of the system architecture through the design for optimized build and test in the factory.

Design to Cost offers great opportunities while playing a critical role in key business pursuits and product development efforts. Performing cost management is a very dynamic role, gaining exposure with all levels of leadership in a wide variety of product types.

What YOU Will Do

Supports the strategic effort to define affordability goals and means for achieving those goals during proposal and execution phases of typical development programs

Supports the design of systems utilizing cost reduction techniques relevant to mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing variables

Provides project teams with a focal point for low-cost solutions by coordinating the involvement of low-cost enabling functions (design for manufacturability, design for testability, Strategic Sourcing, Application Engineering, Test Engineering, etc.). Including Manufacturing time studies as well

Performs or direct others in the performance of cost analysis and support the proactive achievement of cost goals for typical systems and products under development

Identifies drivers of cost and propose alternative solutions for cost reductions

Utilizes Critical thinking and problem solving – willingness to dig and drive solutions based on data analyze

Responsible for validating cost requirements / targets against pertinent business plan(s) and programmatic expectations

Participates in preparation of proposals and presentations to internal and external customers

Serves as project leader coordinating the efforts of other professionals and technical support personnel. Strong cross functional interaction / teamwork and collaboration

Knowledge of business & technical consistent processes, including being proficient in O365 tools with an emphasis on Excel (Macro experience preferable)

Knowledge of principles and techniques commonly used in product development

Perform assignments requiring the use and application of electromechanical engineering principles and techniques

Additional Responsibilities

Setting cost targets : Help to establish a clear target cost for the product.

Cost analysis during design : Continuously evaluating the cost implications of design choices, including materials, components, manufacturing processes, assembly methods and reuse

Cost modeling and simulation : Utilizing tools to predict the cost of a design based on selected materials and manufacturing techniques

Value engineering : Identifying areas where cost can be reduced without compromising product functionality or quality

Collaboration with cross-functional teams : Working closely with engineers, manufacturing teams, procurement, and marketing to ensure cost considerations are integrated throughout the design process

Early cost identification : Proactively identifying potential cost drivers in the early design stages to allow for necessary adjustments

Cost tracking and reporting : Monitoring actual costs against the target cost throughout the design process and reporting deviations to relevant stakeholders

Design for manufacturability : Optimizing design features to facilitate efficient production processes, minimizing waste and unnecessary steps

Supplier engagement : Collaborating with suppliers to identify cost-effective materials and manufacturing options

What YOU Will Learn

Learn and take advantage of opportunities to excel professionally with RTX's exceptional employee scholar programs and continuing education

Learn to thrive and be supported in a dynamic team-driven environment

Learn to become a champion within our CORE Operating Systems

Qualifications You Must Have

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience

Background in product design, development, and factory transition

Technical Experience in Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering

Experience with system-level requirements and how they relate to recurring cost

Experience with engineering and manufacturing processes

Experience with key production-based cost drivers

Experience with design trade-off techniques

Experience with cost estimating techniques

Qualifications We Prefer

Active or Existing Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance preferred

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 ​

And more!

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 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. ​

The salary range for this role is 82,000 USD - 164,000 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.