Associate Director, AI for Manufacturing and Operations

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced AI Subject Matter Expert (SME) who can bridge advanced artificial intelligence technologies with real‑world manufacturing needs. This role is ideal for a strategic technologist who understands factory operations in depth, collaborates closely with engineering and operations teams, and translates AI concepts into practical, scalable, and safe solutions.

You will shape how AI enhances our factories—improving productivity, quality, throughput, decision‑making, and worker experience.

Must be willing and able to travel 25% of the time (domestic & international).

What You Will Do:

• Partner across RTX AI.
• Partner with manufacturing engineering, operations, supply chain, Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP), quality, and digital transformation teams to identify high‑value AI use cases.
• Translate complex AI/ML concepts into clear, actionable factory solutions for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Evaluate current processes and determine where AI can meaningfully augment automation, analytics, maintenance, and production systems.
• Create and maintain the Collins Operations AI Roadmap.
• Architect AI-driven tools and workflows in areas such as predictive maintenance, defect detection, digital twins, scheduling optimization, and intelligent automation.
• Guide teams through data readiness requirements, model selection, feasibility trade-offs, and integration constraints.
• Work with product teams and external vendors to assess technologies, shape roadmaps, and ensure alignment with factory needs and enterprise standards.
• Develop and execute proof‑of‑concepts, pilot plans, and deployment strategies for new AI capabilities; measure results and iterate designs.
• Provide technical leadership, training, and coaching to engineering teams to raise overall AI maturity.
• Ensure solutions meet security, safety, compliance, and ethical use standards.

What You Will Learn:

• How AI can be strategically embedded into factory workflows and enterprise systems.
• Emerging AI/ML technologies relevant to advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and industrial automation.
• Cross-functional leadership in a complex operational environment.
• How to scale AI responsibly within safety‑critical and compliance‑driven domains.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 5+ years experience applying AI and machine learning in industrial or highly operational environments.
• Ability to communicate highly technical AI concepts in simple, business‑oriented language.
• 5+ years experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders at multiple levels.

Requirements

• Understanding of factory workflows, industrial automation, sensors, MES, quality systems, and operational constraints.
• Prior experience in advanced manufacturing or aerospace/defense production.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, data science, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• Background in systems engineering or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience deploying AI in environments with strict safety, reliability, or regulatory requirements.
• Experience with predictive modeling, computer vision, anomaly detection, optimization algorithms, or intelligent robotics.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, edge devices, and MLOps best practices.
• Working knowledge of digital twins, simulation systems, or industrial IoT architectures.

Benefits

• 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: 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!