Engineering Associate II - CSR - Program Management at RTC Aerospace – Rockford, Michigan

About RTCA:

RTCA is a precision aerospace and defense manufacturing group built on decades of hands-on machining expertise, with roots spanning more than 50 years. We support mission-critical commercial and government aerospace programs across North America through four U.S. Centers of Excellence operating as an integrated platform with 150+ CNC machines and a team of 250+ professionals.

Unlike large organizations where roles can be narrow, RTCA offers hands-on ownership and real visibility – you understand how your work supports the team, the operation, and the end customer. Our flat structure allows employees to take initiative, grow their skills, and have their contributions recognized, while still providing the stability, advanced technology, and meaningful work of an established aerospace manufacturer.

At RTCA, we believe in teamwork, excellence, and delivering with pride. One Team! One Mission!

How You’ll Make an Impact

RTCA Aerospace is seeking a highly capable recent engineering graduate to support program management activities for a large-scale manufacturing project. This role will be embedded in the Rockford operation and will support a major new program originating from RTCA’s Corporate Sales Division.

This is a high-visibility, execution-focused role suited for a candidate with strong academic credentials, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage structured work in a regulated manufacturing environment.

What RTCA Offers

• Entry point into aerospace and defense program management
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and major customer programs
• Defined opportunity for career advancement and increased responsibility
• Hands-on experience in a fast-growing manufacturing organization

What you’ll be doing as an Engineering Associate II – CSR – Program Management:

• Working a Full-time, onsite position at our Rockford, MI location.

• Support program management activities for a complex aerospace manufacturing program
• Develop and maintain project schedules (Gantt charts), action registers, and milestone tracking
• Prepare and deliver customer-facing and internal presentations (PowerPoint)
• Maintain program data, metrics, and reports using Excel (cost, schedule, risk, deliverables)
• Coordinate across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and sales
• Support customer communication, meeting preparation, and follow-up actions
• Assist with documentation required for military / aerospace programs
• Track risks, issues, and corrective actions to closure

Required Qualifications (Education, skills, and experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or related field)
• Recent graduate (0–2 years experience)
• Strong academic performance
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Working knowledge of project scheduling tools and Gantt charts
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven
• Comfortable working in a structured, compliance-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications (Education, skills, and experience):

• Internship or co-op experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or defense
• Exposure to program management, operations, or engineering projects
• Familiarity with Lean, continuous improvement, or structured problem solving
• Interest in long-term growth into program management or operations leadership

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Ability to lift or move up to 50lbs.
• Reach forward, up, down and to the side in order to move equipment.
• Continuous standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel material.
• Access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.

Work Environment:

A large percentage of work time is spent in a machine shop where temperatures vary from hot to cold. The environment may also include exposure to noise, dust, fumes, vapor from coolant, etc. Industry standard safety equipment is provided by the Company, and specific notice is posted in areas where safety equipment is required.

Compensation and Benefits:

Employee Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, long-term disability and 401(k) with up to 6% QACA company match.

The Engineering Associate II – CSR – Program Management Compensation range for onsite Michigan applicants is $25/hr - $30/hr commensurate with experience. Some shifts may include shift differential pay rates. Other site ranges may differ.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required.

RTC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on RTC’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact the RTC Human Resources Department. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact the RTC Human Resources Department. Candidates will receive consideration without discrimination in accordance with the requirements of article 9 to chapter XVIII of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code, federal and state laws of California.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department.