Overview of Collins Aerospace as an Employer
Collins Aerospace is a major defense and aerospace company that employs thousands of people across the United States and internationally. The company operates as a subsidiary of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies) and specializes in manufacturing components, systems, and services for commercial aircraft, military defense, and space applications. Understanding the company's structure and mission can help you determine whether a career there might align with your interests and skills.
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The company was formed in 2018 through a merger of United Technologies' aerospace systems business with Collins Industries. Today, Collins Aerospace operates multiple business segments including Aerospace Systems, Interior Cabin Systems, Landing Systems, Actuation Systems, and Power and Controls. Each segment develops different products—from aircraft seating and lavatories to landing gear and avionics systems. This diversity means the company hires for numerous job types, from manufacturing and assembly roles to engineering, quality control, supply chain management, and administrative positions.
Collins Aerospace maintains facilities in over 30 countries, with significant U.S. operations in states like Connecticut, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, and Kansas. The company serves customers including Boeing, Airbus, regional aircraft manufacturers, and military branches. As a major defense contractor, Collins Aerospace follows strict federal regulations and security requirements, which influences hiring practices and workplace operations.
The organization values innovation, safety, and continuous improvement. Employees often work on cutting-edge aerospace technology, which can provide meaningful career development opportunities. However, the defense contracting nature of much of the business means positions may require background checks and security clearances, particularly for roles involving classified work or sensitive projects.
Practical Takeaway: Before pursuing a Collins Aerospace career, research which business segment interests you most and determine whether you're willing to undergo security vetting and background investigation, as these are standard requirements for most positions.
Types of Careers and Job Categories Available
Collins Aerospace recruits across multiple professional and technical categories, offering diverse career paths for people with different education levels and experience backgrounds. Understanding the range of available positions helps you identify roles that match your qualifications and interests.
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Engineering positions represent a significant portion of Collins Aerospace's hiring. The company employs mechanical engineers, aerospace engineers, electrical engineers, systems engineers, manufacturing engineers, and software engineers. These roles typically require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and involve designing aircraft systems, developing new technologies, solving technical problems, and managing engineering projects. Engineering positions tend to offer some of the highest salary ranges within the company.
Manufacturing and production roles form another major employment category. These positions include assembly technicians, machine operators, fabrication technicians, quality inspectors, and production planners. These jobs don't always require a four-year degree—many companies promote from entry-level positions and offer on-the-job training. Manufacturing roles provide hands-on experience with aerospace components and can lead to supervisory positions with career advancement.
Supply chain and logistics careers involve purchasing specialists, inventory managers, logistics coordinators, and procurement analysts. These roles keep materials and parts flowing through manufacturing operations. Positions in this category may require business degrees or certifications like APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional).
Quality and compliance positions include quality engineers, compliance specialists, safety officers, and auditors. These roles ensure products meet federal aerospace standards and customer requirements. Quality positions often pay well and require attention to detail and knowledge of aerospace regulations like AS9100 certification standards.
Business and administrative roles encompass human resources specialists, financial analysts, project managers, business analysts, and administrative professionals. These positions support operations across all business segments and typically require business education or relevant experience.
Sales and customer support roles focus on working with clients like Boeing and Airbus. Customer support engineers and sales representatives communicate with clients about product performance, pricing, and delivery schedules.
Practical Takeaway: Identify which job category aligns with your education, skills, and interests, then research specific open positions within that category to understand particular qualifications required and typical advancement paths.
Salary Ranges and Compensation by Job Level
Collins Aerospace compensation varies significantly based on job category, location, experience level, and educational background. Understanding typical salary ranges helps you assess whether positions meet your financial needs and how your pay might progress over time.
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Entry-level manufacturing and assembly technician positions typically start between $28,000 and $38,000 annually. These roles offer opportunities to learn aerospace manufacturing processes and advance into supervisory or specialist positions. Many entry-level positions include shift differentials—additional pay for working evenings, nights, or weekends—which can increase annual earnings by 10-15%.
Mid-level technical positions like senior technicians, quality inspectors, and production supervisors generally range from $45,000 to $65,000 per year. Supervisory positions often include responsibility pay and bonuses tied to department performance. Technicians with specialized skills or certifications may earn toward the higher end of these ranges.
Engineering positions show greater variation based on specialization and experience. Entry-level engineers with bachelor's degrees typically start between $55,000 and $75,000. Senior engineers with 10+ years of experience and advanced degrees may earn $110,000 to $160,000 or more. Aerospace engineers, particularly those with specialized knowledge in flight-critical systems, command higher salaries than some other engineering disciplines.
Project managers and senior technical professionals typically earn $70,000 to $120,000 depending on scope of responsibility and experience. Program managers overseeing major customer contracts may exceed $130,000 annually.
Management and leadership positions span a wide range. Supervisors and team leads typically earn $55,000 to $85,000, while plant managers and senior executives can exceed $200,000 with bonuses and stock options for corporate-level positions.
Location significantly impacts compensation. Collins Aerospace facilities in high-cost areas like the Northeast typically pay 10-20% more than facilities in lower-cost regions. Additionally, government contracts sometimes include geographic pay adjustments for difficult-to-fill locations.
Most positions include benefits beyond base salary. Standard packages typically include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), 401(k) retirement plans with company matching contributions (often 4-6% of salary), paid time off (typically 15-25 days annually depending on level), and life insurance. Many Collins Aerospace locations also offer tuition reimbursement for job-related education, which employees can use for certifications or degree programs.
Practical Takeaway: Research salary data through websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and PayScale to understand realistic compensation for specific roles in your geographic area, then factor in benefits value when comparing total compensation packages.
Education and Skills Requirements by Position Type
Collins Aerospace positions require varying educational backgrounds and skill sets. Understanding specific requirements helps you assess your readiness for particular roles and identify any additional training or credentials that might strengthen your candidacy.
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Manufacturing and assembly technician positions typically require a high school diploma or GED and willingness to learn on the job. Some positions prefer applicants with vocational training or previous manufacturing experience, but many provide comprehensive training programs. Useful skills include mechanical aptitude, ability to read technical drawings, attention to detail, and comfort with precision measurement tools. Some positions require or benefit from certifications like CNC machining, welding (particularly for structural components), or lean manufacturing principles.
Quality and inspection roles often require high school education plus specialized training in quality control. Many applicants pursue ASQ (American Society for Quality) certifications like the Certified Quality Technician (CQT) credential. Knowledge of statistical process control, measurement systems analysis, and aerospace-specific standards like AS9100 strengthens candidacy. Some positions prefer or require associate degrees in quality management or engineering technology programs.
Engineering positions universally require bachelor's degrees in engineering disciplines. Relevant fields include mechanical, aerospace, electrical, software, manufacturing, and industrial engineering. Many companies prefer candidates with internship experience or some familiarity with aerospace standards through coursework. Advanced positions increasingly seek master's degrees, particularly for roles in systems engineering, software development, or research and development. Professional Engineer (PE) licensing, while not always required, can enhance career prospects and earning potential.
Supply chain and procurement roles typically require bachelor's degrees in business, supply chain management, or related fields. Many professionals pursue the APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or APICS CSCP certification to demonstrate expertise. Strong skills include analytical thinking, forecasting knowledge, vendor management