Collins Aerospace (RTX)
Collins Aerospace, an RTX Corporation business, is a leading provider of aerospace and defense systems including avionics, mission systems, and space technology for military and commercial customers.
On the Space Coast
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has engineering and manufacturing operations in Brevard County focused on advanced avionics, mission systems, and space technology. The Space Coast site supports both military and commercial aerospace programs.
About Collins Aerospace (RTX) on the Space Coast
Collins Aerospace, a business unit of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), is a leading provider of aerospace and defense systems. Collins Aerospace combines the legacy capabilities of Rockwell Collins and UTC Aerospace Systems, creating one of the largest aerospace systems providers in the world. The company has engineering and manufacturing operations on Florida's Space Coast supporting avionics, mission systems, and communication technologies. Collins Aerospace's Brevard County presence is part of its broader Florida operations, where the company develops advanced avionics, sensors, and mission-critical communication systems for both military and commercial aircraft. The company employs over 70,000 people globally across its four business segments: Avionics, Mechanical Systems, Mission Systems, and Interiors. Space Coast employees contribute to programs spanning military fighter aircraft, commercial aviation, and space systems.
Culture & Work Environment
Collins Aerospace fosters an engineering-first culture with a strong emphasis on innovation and technical excellence. As part of RTX Corporation, employees have access to resources and opportunities across a massive aerospace and defense enterprise while maintaining the focused culture of their specific business unit. The environment is collaborative, with engineers working across disciplines on integrated systems. The company promotes career development through internal mobility across RTX business units, tuition assistance, and technical fellowship programs. Collins Aerospace has active employee resource groups and emphasizes diversity and inclusion initiatives. The work environment tends to be structured and process-oriented, reflecting the quality standards required in aerospace manufacturing and development.
Hiring Process & Timeline
Collins Aerospace follows RTX Corporation's standardized hiring process, which typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Candidates apply through the RTX careers portal and can expect a recruiter screen followed by one or two rounds of interviews. Technical interviews assess both domain knowledge and behavioral competencies aligned with RTX's core values. The company uses structured interview guides, so expect consistent behavioral questions about collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving. For engineering roles, be prepared for technical deep dives into your area of expertise — avionics, RF systems, software development, or systems engineering. Internal referrals from current RTX employees are particularly valuable.
Interview Tips
Understand the organizational structure — Collins Aerospace is part of RTX Corporation, which also includes Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney. Knowing how your target role fits within the broader enterprise demonstrates organizational awareness. Research the specific Collins Aerospace business segment (Avionics, Mission Systems, etc.) your role falls under. Prepare examples that showcase cross-functional collaboration and innovation. Collins Aerospace values engineers who can work across hardware, software, and systems boundaries. For avionics and mission systems roles, brush up on DO-178C, DO-254, or other relevant aerospace standards. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured quality and reliability in your work.
Security Clearance Requirements
Security clearance requirements at Collins Aerospace on the Space Coast vary by program. Commercial aviation programs generally do not require a clearance, while military and defense programs typically require Secret or Top Secret clearance. Some advanced mission systems roles may require TS/SCI access. Collins Aerospace and RTX Corporation sponsor clearance processing for qualified candidates. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for most defense-related positions due to ITAR regulations. Candidates with existing active clearances are often preferred for defense programs due to shorter onboarding timelines.
Compensation & Salary
Collins Aerospace offers competitive salaries on the Space Coast, generally in line with other major defense contractors in the Brevard County area. Entry-level engineers typically start at $70,000 to $85,000, mid-career professionals earn $95,000 to $130,000, and senior engineers and managers can earn $135,000 to $165,000. As part of RTX Corporation, benefits are comprehensive and include a 401(k) with company match up to 6%, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, comprehensive health insurance, and tuition reimbursement. RTX also provides annual merit increases and performance bonuses. The company offers a 9/80 schedule at some locations.
Peak hiring: March 2026 (39 roles)
Open Positions
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