Sr. Manager Test Sustainment & Troubleshooting, 2nd Shift - CLEARANCE REQUIRED

Section Leader

The Advanced Products Center (APC) Manufacturing Engineering organization is seeking a dynamic and experienced Section Leader to join the Test Sustainment team in McKinney, Texas. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting manufacturing operations by ensuring the reliability and performance of critical test equipment, driving operational excellence, and contributing to the success of cutting-edge aerospace and defense products.

As a Section Leader, you will oversee a talented team of engineers and technicians responsible for the sustainment of test sets, equipment calibrations, and assembly troubleshooting. Your leadership will ensure that test equipment remains operational, calibrated, and ready to support production, while also driving root cause analysis and corrective actions for hardware that fails during testing. In this role, you will partner closely with the factory operations off-shift lead to ensure smooth, efficient, and consistent operations during off-shift hours.

This position is off-shift, with a likely hybrid schedule spanning 2nd and 3rd shifts (4 PM to 1 AM). You will be the go-to leader for critical off-shift Manufacturing Engineering operations, providing technical guidance, solving complex problems, and ensuring that the factory runs seamlessly outside of standard hours. Additionally, you will contribute as both a leader and an individual contributor, directly supporting key initiatives and projects.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team of 15-20 engineers and technicians, providing performance management, career development, and talent acquisition support.
• Drive hiring efforts, team communication, and staffing alignment to meet production and operational needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize and achieve organizational goals while supporting department-level initiatives.
• Manage test set spare hardware, consumables, and lab protocols, emphasizing 5S continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Provide immediate factory support to address equipment interruptions and minimize downtime.
• Contribute as a technical lead or individual contributor, overseeing RF hardware testing for performance metrics such as VSWR, insertion loss, and radar cross-section (RCS).
• Perform Section Leader responsibilities while managing team timecards and driving operational excellence.
• Perform effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environments, managing multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or 5S, with a proven record of process enhancements.
• Communicate complex information clearly and effectively to various audiences through strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exhibit strong emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management, to build trust and encourage others.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, or operations
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer

• Strong technical background in test equipment sustainment, troubleshooting, and calibration, with hands-on experience supporting manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing or overseeing teams across multiple shifts or off-shift operations, ensuring seamless organizational support.
• Experience with managing employee performance, including conducting performance reviews, setting goals, and providing coaching and mentorship to team members.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all phases of the product development lifecycle, with the ability to contribute to and support products from concept through sustainment.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a matrixed organization, balancing multiple priorities and collaborating across functional teams.

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Relocation assistance is not available