> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/100351-associate-director-ai-software-applied-research-technology-defense-technologies-onsite](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/100351-associate-director-ai-software-applied-research-technology-defense-technologies-onsite). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Associate Director - AI Software, Applied Research & Technology - Defense Technologies (Onsite) - **Company:** Collins Aerospace - **Location:** Cedar Rapids, IA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $157,200.0 - $298,800.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Information Technology - **Published:** May 31, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=7f2fd84b37a3d869 ## About the Role Do you have experience in Team leadership?, 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, * Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience * Must have or be capable of obtaining a US Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance. Candidate selected will be subject to a government security investigation/reinstatement and must meet eligibility requirements * Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and explain complex technical ideas clearly to both specialists, non-specialists, and senior leadership. * Experience planning and executing experiments or evaluations and using data to drive design decisions. * Experience leading technical projects or being the go-to engineer for a critical subsystem or technology area., * Advanced degree in Computer Science / Data Science with research or project work in networking or communications and AI. * Experience in applied research or advanced development (roughly TRL 3-6) in aerospace, defense or other safety-critical or cyber-physical domains. * Evidence of Artificial Intelligence application experience. * Experience collaborating with external partners such as universities, national labs, small businesses or government sponsors. * Evidence of technical leadership and influence-driving multi-disciplinary efforts, mentoring others, or contributing to patents and publications. 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. ## Description * Develop technology rapidly on small teams that operate like a startup, backed by the labs, resources, and flight heritage of a major aerospace company. * Innovate end-to-end: from whiteboard concepts to prototypes, demos, and product transition. * Work on hard, open-ended problems at the intersection of embedded systems, command and control, RF, AI/ML, advanced networking * Collaborate with sharp engineers and researchers across Collins, RTX, universities, labs, and innovative small businesses. * Help shape where the technology goes next by influencing architectures, roadmaps, proposals, patents, and publications. What You Will Do: * Architect and implement AI software algorithms & pipelines that meet performance, SWaP, cost, reliability, and security targets. * Build and evolve software prototypes-in simulations, lab setups, and embedded devices. * Design and run experiments, analyze data and use the results to iterate fast on concepts, models, and implementations. * Mentor junior software engineers and lead software teams * Capture architectures, designs, test results, and lessons learned so others can review, reuse, and extend your work. * Coordinate with project and program leads to manage technical risk, estimate effort, and communicate progress and tradeoffs. * Support integration, test, and demo events-lab, field, or flight-to show capability, collect feedback, and refine designs. * Contribute to proposals, white papers, and technical briefings that shape future research and development. ## Related Videos - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [The New Org Chart: When AI Joins the Workforce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100036-the-new-org-chart-when-ai-joins-the-workforce) - [It's not easy being green](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/558-it-s-not-easy-being-green) - [Edit Your Future: Queerverse Radical AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/909-edit-your-future-queerverse-radical-ai) - [Angstfreude - AI and Corporate Culture - The Thrill and the Threat](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100354-angstfreude-ai-and-corporate-culture-the-thrill-and-the-threat) - [From Global Capability Centers to AI-Powered Command Centers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100096-from-global-capability-centers-to-ai-powered-command-centers) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [Dev Digest 132 - Binging WADFlix?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/473-dev-digest-132-binging-wadflix) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)