Associate Director, Engineering - Software Department Manager - Proprietary Platforms (Onsite)

Below is a concise, easy‑to‑read summary of the Associate Director, Engineering – Software Department Manager – Proprietary Platforms role at Collins Aerospace (RTX), followed by a few practical tips on how you can tailor your résumé, cover‑letter, and interview preparation to this specific opportunity.

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📋 Role Snapshot

Item	Details
Title	Associate Director, Engineering – Software Department Manager – Proprietary Platforms
Location	Sterling, VA (on‑site) – also possible at Binghamton, NY or El Segundo, CA
Employer	Collins Aerospace (RTX) – Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS)
Clearance Required	Active Secret (must be held on Day 1); ability to obtain Top‑Secret after start
Team Size	100 + software engineers (multiple Sr. Engineering Managers & technical leads)
Scope	End‑to‑end software lifecycle for mission‑critical proprietary platforms (desktop apps → high‑fidelity integrated mission systems)
Budget/Revenue	> $200 M annual revenue for the SDS Proprietary Platforms portfolio
Travel	Occasional domestic; possible international
Salary Range	$172,900 – $328,700 (DOE)
Key Benefits	Full medical/dental/vision, 401(k) match, tuition & loan repayment, parental leave, relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, extensive wellness & insurance options, etc.

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🎯 Core Responsibilities

1. Leadership & People Management

   • Direct a department of 100+ engineers, including multiple senior managers.
   • Foster a collaborative, high‑performance culture; act as a servant‑leader and mentor.

2. Full‑Lifecycle Oversight

   • Own the software development lifecycle from bid/proposal through requirements, design, development, integration, test, and validation.
   • Establish and enforce consistent processes, metrics, and best‑practice standards across the department.

3. Strategic Staffing & Growth

   • Partner with portfolio leaders to create accurate staffing plans (including growth in Puerto Rico where appropriate).
   • Drive talent development, succession planning, and career growth for engineers.

4. Stakeholder & Executive Interaction

   • Build relationships with program managers, operations, and senior leadership.
   • Influence strategic engineering decisions and technology road‑maps.

5. Process & Quality Excellence

   • Implement and improve Agile, Waterfall, and Spiral methodologies as needed.
   • Lead root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, risk/opportunity management, and configuration control.

6. Technology & Innovation

   • Guide adoption of modern tools (Jira, Confluence, GitLab, Docker, Kubernetes, DevSecOps).
   • Evaluate AI/ML third‑party integrations and emerging software practices.

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🛠️ Required Qualifications

Category	Must‑Have
Education/Experience	STEM degree + ≥12 years (or advanced degree + ≥10 years) in software engineering/management
Clearance	Active Secret (transferable) – ability to obtain Top‑Secret
Leadership	Proven track record leading large, multi‑disciplinary software teams through full lifecycles
Technical Skills	Strong background in C/C++/C#, Visual Studio, Python, Java, Angular, MATLAB/Simulink; solid grasp of SDLC metrics and reporting
Methodologies	Experience with Agile, Waterfall, Spiral; ability to tailor processes to program needs
Communication	Excellent written & verbal skills for senior‑level interaction

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🌟 Preferred (Nice‑to‑Have) Skills

• Advanced written/oral communication with senior leadership
• Root‑cause analysis, CAPA, risk & opportunity management
• Project Management/Control Account Management (CAM) & earned‑value expertise
• ALM tools: Jira, Confluence, Jama, Bamboo, Crucible
• Containerization & orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes
• DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, GitLab, automated testing frameworks
• Experience with parametric bid tools (e.g., SEER)
• AI/ML integration experience
• Data‑driven decision making, strong analytical mindset

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📄 How to Tailor Your Application

1. Resume – Structure & Keywords

Section	What to Highlight
Professional Summary	“Seasoned software engineering leader with 15 + years managing 100+ engineers, delivering mission‑critical aerospace platforms, and holding an active Secret clearance.”
Leadership Experience	Quantify team size, budget, and outcomes (e.g., “Led 5 senior managers and 120 engineers delivering $250 M of software assets on schedule, achieving 98 % on‑time delivery”).
Clearance	List “Active Secret (TS eligible) – held since 20XX”.
Technical Expertise	Bullet the languages/tools directly mentioned (C/C++, C#, Python, Java, Angular, MATLAB/Simulink, Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab, Jira, Confluence).
Process & Metrics	Cite specific SDLC frameworks you instituted, metrics you tracked (e.g., “Implemented Agile‑Scrum with velocity tracking, reduced cycle time by 22 %”).
Stakeholder Management	Provide examples of influencing senior leadership or cross‑functional executives.
Achievements	Use numbers: cost savings, schedule improvements, quality gains, talent retention, etc.
Education & Certifications	STEM degree, any PMP, SAFe, or security‑clearance related training.

Tip: Mirror the exact phrasing from the posting where possible (e.g., “servant‑leader”, “full software development lifecycle”, “matrix engineering organization”). This helps applicant‑tracking systems (ATS) and human reviewers see a direct match.

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2. Cover Letter – 3‑Paragraph Blueprint

1. Opening & Fit – State the role you’re applying for, your current position, and the fact you hold an active Secret clearance. Mention your enthusiasm for Collins Aerospace’s mission‑critical proprietary platforms.
2. Leadership & Impact – Highlight a recent, relevant accomplishment: size of team, scope of program, and measurable results (e.g., “Directed a 110‑engineer department delivering a high‑fidelity mission training system that generated $45 M in revenue and achieved a 99.5 % reliability rating”). Tie this to the job’s “lead a department of 100+ engineers” requirement.
3. Technical & Strategic Alignment – Briefly discuss your hands‑on experience with the listed technologies (C++, Docker, Kubernetes, DevSecOps) and your proven ability to set metrics, drive Agile transformations, and influence senior leadership. Close with a statement of readiness to contribute to the SDS Proprietary Platforms portfolio and request an interview.

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3. Interview Prep – Focus Areas & Sample Questions

Focus Area	Sample Questions You Might Be Asked	How to Answer
Leadership Style	“Can you describe a time you turned around a struggling software team?”	Use STAR: Situation (team under‑performing), Task (improve delivery), Action (implemented Agile, coaching, metrics), Result (delivery time cut 30 %, quality ↑).
Clearance & Security	“How do you ensure security compliance in a large software organization?”	Discuss classification handling, secure coding standards, regular audits, and your experience with Secret/TS environments.
Technical Depth	“What’s your experience with container orchestration for mission‑critical systems?”	Highlight Docker/Kubernetes usage, CI/CD pipelines, and any high‑availability or real‑time constraints you’ve managed.
Strategic Planning	“How do you develop staffing plans for a portfolio with fluctuating demand?”	Talk about demand‑supply modeling, collaboration with portfolio leads, use of metrics, and contingency planning (e.g., leveraging Puerto Rico talent).
Stakeholder Management	“Give an example of influencing an executive decision on technology roadmap.”	Show a concrete case where you presented data‑driven analysis, aligned with business goals, and secured executive buy‑in.
Metrics & Process	“What KPIs do you track to gauge software maturity?”	Mention defect density, requirement coverage, test automation percentage, cycle time, earned value, and how you report them.
Culture & Talent Development	“How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement?”	Discuss mentorship programs, knowledge‑sharing sessions, career‑path frameworks, and recognition mechanisms.

Preparation Tips

• Bring a one‑page “leadership impact matrix” (team size, budget, key metrics) to reference during the interview.
• Have specific numbers ready for each major program you’ve led (revenue, schedule variance, quality scores).
• Review RTX’s recent press releases on Strategic Defense Solutions to speak knowledgeably about their current priorities (e.g., autonomous mission platforms, AI integration).

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📌 Quick Checklist Before Submitting

• Resume includes active Secret clearance prominently.
• All required technical skills and leadership experiences are reflected with quantified results.
• Cover letter follows the 3‑paragraph blueprint and mentions interest in proprietary platforms.
• LinkedIn profile (if provided) mirrors the résumé language and shows the same clearance status.
• Prepare STAR stories for each of the focus areas above.
• Verify the application deadline (≈ 40 days from 2026‑03‑26) and submit well before it closes.
• If you need relocation assistance, note that it’s offered; be ready to discuss any relocation constraints.

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🎉 Final Thought

This role sits at the intersection of large‑scale software engineering leadership, high‑impact aerospace mission systems, and government security compliance. Emphasizing your proven ability to scale teams, drive disciplined processes, and navigate clearance‑driven environments will make you a standout candidate for Collins Aerospace’s Strategic Defense Solutions organization.

Good luck—if you’d like a more detailed review of your résumé, a draft cover letter, or help rehearsing interview answers, just let me know! 🚀