2027 Summer/Fall Co-op - Secure Systems (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

401(k) Match

FSAs

Flexible Schedules

Employee Assistance Program

Scholar Program

Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Annual Incentives

Long-term Incentives

Job summary

RTX, a major aerospace and defense company, invites interns/co-ops to engage in Mission Systems projects in Cedar Rapids. You will gain leadership exposure, work with radio communication specialists, and contribute to verification activities across concepts, design and testing phases.

A security clearance readiness pathway is noted as part of the process. Ideal candidates are pursuing a STEM degree, familiar with Agile, and capable of using MATLAB, C++, and Python in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• This internship/co-op requires pursuing a bachelor’s degree in STEM and active enrollment through completion.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies including Scrum Master and Product Owner roles.
• Experience with integration, verification and validation phases of a product.

Responsibilities

• Performs analysis, architecture, and design at all system levels to translate requirements into hardware and software specs.
• Conducts functional analysis, trade studies, and interface definitions to allocate requirements.
• Develops verification criteria and plans for sub-systems and components.
• Researches investments or changes to improve the quality of the organization’s systems.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

MATLAB

C++

Python

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-28 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: 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 Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

About RTX

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do

• Performs analysis, architecture, and design at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Performs functional analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Provides analysis for the decomposition of customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements, and develops verification criteria and plans for the requirements.
• Researches and evaluates investments or changes in technology, resources, procedures, equipment, systems, or other assets to improve the quality of the organization’s systems products and services.

What You Will Learn

You will gain technical leadership experience, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to very influential individuals within Mission Systems that will help advance your career. You will obtain invaluable experience working with our Radio Communication subject matter experts in addition to security and crypto certification specialists. You can take flight to becoming knowledgeable in our Radio Communication products with exposure to the variety of business and products in an ever-evolving field. We are growing, so can you!

Qualifications - You Must Have

• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) major and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.

Qualifications - We Prefer

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies as well as the scrum master and product owner roles.
• Experience with the execution of integration, verification and validation phases of a product.
• Experience with tools such as MATLAB, C++, and Python.

Relocation Eligibility and Role Type Definition

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is 37,000 USD - 82,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• 401(k) match
• flexible spending accounts
• flexible work schedules
• employee assistance program
• Employee Scholar Program
• parental leave
• paid time off
• holidays
• annual short-term incentive compensation programs
• annual long-term incentive compensation programs

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class.

RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Company Overview

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.