Principal Specialist, Supplier Quality & Development – Commodity

Date Posted:

2026-06-01



Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IL-REMOTE

Position Role Type:

Remote

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access certain necessary systems.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world 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.

 

Join Collins Aerospace as a Principal Specialist, Supplier Quality & Development professional and play a critical role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of our global supply base. In this highly visible individual contributor role, you’ll serve as a key partner to both suppliers and internal stakeholders—driving quality excellence across complex commodities such as composites, plastics, textiles, and interior products. Your work will directly impact product integrity and program success by ensuring suppliers meet stringent aerospace and regulatory standards while proactively identifying and resolving risks.

Operating with a high level of autonomy, you’ll lead supplier qualification, performance monitoring, and issue resolution efforts—digging into root cause analysis, driving corrective actions, and influencing long-term improvements. From supporting PPAP approvals and work transfers to analyzing quality data and leading supplier-facing initiatives, you’ll be at the center of building a stronger, more resilient supply chain. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives on solving complex problems, influencing without authority, and making a measurable impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This is a remote role with up to 30% travel throughout the Midwest US, primarily supporting locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Indiana. Geographic proximity to these states may support ease of travel.

What You Will Do: 

• Own supplier quality performance across assigned commodities, ensuring compliance with RTX, customer, and regulatory requirements

• Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and certification activities, including audits, assessments, and capability evaluations

• Monitor supplier performance metrics, identify risks or trends, and drive proactive improvement strategies

• Investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues, leading root cause analysis (8D, Red-X) and driving effective corrective and preventive actions

• Manage nonconforming material and escape management processes, partnering with suppliers to contain issues and prevent recurrence

• Support source inspection, material release, and work transfer activities, ensuring readiness for production and process changes

• Drive adoption of quality core tools (PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA) to strengthen supplier processes and long-term performance

• Lead or support supplier-facing forums such as Corrective Action Boards and DQ Clinics to ensure accountability and progress

• Ensure supplier readiness for PPAP approvals, Resourcing Gate reviews, and contractual quality requirements

• Influence suppliers and internal stakeholders to implement sustainable improvements aligned with RTX Supplier Gold and continuous improvement initiatives

• Travel up to 30% (approximately two trips per month, based on business needs)

Qualifications You Must Have: 

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience

• 5+ years of experience in a supply chain, manufacturing, or supplier quality environment, including supplier monitoring, auditing, and/or development

Qualifications We Prefer: 

• Experience supporting suppliers within one or more of the following commodities: composites, plastics, textiles, or interior products

• Working knowledge of quality systems, regulations, and standards (e.g., QMS, industry or regulatory requirements)

• Experience applying quality core tools and methodologies such as APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and root cause analysis (e.g., 8D, Red-X)

• Experience leading or supporting supplier quality issue resolution, including corrective and preventive action development

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both internal teams and external suppliers, including presenting to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

• Experience influencing stakeholders and driving alignment across teams without direct authority

• Experience working in cross-functional environments, partnering with engineering, operations, supply chain, and quality teams

What We Offer: 

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! 

   

Learn More & Apply Now!  

Operations, Supply Chain and EH&S: 

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide.  

Collins Aerospace, a 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. 

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE. 

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.  

Remote: Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home).  An employee may be expected to travel to the site location as needed.  

  

*Position is remote; however, if you live within a reasonable commute of a Collins site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role. 

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! 

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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