2027 Systems Engineering Co-op – Special Operations Aviation Mainline (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) match

Job summary

RTX in Cedar Rapids is offering an internship/co-op that lets you work side-by-side with systems engineers developing avionics for MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters. You will learn how requirements are captured, decomposed and verified, and you’ll help craft engineering requirements and test procedures for new capabilities.

You will perform hands-on testing in SILs that mirror aircraft environments and see how Cedar Rapids engineering choices support aircraft and crews in challenging conditions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or STEM.
• Interest in aviation, avionics, software, systems engineering, integration, or test.
• Familiarity with Agile development or tools such as DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, or ALM.
• Experience troubleshooting technical projects where initial attempts failed.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside systems engineers developing avionics capabilities for MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters.
• Learn how requirements are captured, decomposed, allocated, reviewed, and verified.
• Help develop engineering requirements and test procedures for new capabilities.
• Perform hands-on testing in Systems Integration Laboratories (SILs).
• See how Cedar Rapids decisions support aircraft and crews in demanding environments.

Skills

Aviation interest

Systems engineering

Agile development familiarity

DOORS

JAMA

JIRA

ALM

Troubleshooting

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

STEM bachelor’s or advanced degree

Tools

DOORS

JAMA

JIRA

ALM

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-29

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-182 ~ 1100 Cimmie Ave Ne ~ BLDG 182

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

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:

• Work alongside systems engineers developing and integrating avionics capabilities for MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters.
• Learn how customer and system-level requirements are captured, decomposed, allocated, reviewed, and ultimately verified.
• Help develop engineering requirements and test procedures for new capabilities.
• Perform hands-on testing in Systems Integration Laboratories (SILs) that replicate aircraft avionics and cockpit environments.
• See how engineering decisions made in Cedar Rapids ultimately support aircraft and crews operating in demanding environments.

What You Will Learn:

• How complex aircraft systems move from customer need → requirement → design → integration → verification → fielded capability.
• How systems engineers make decisions when software, hardware, aircraft interfaces, and operational requirements all collide.
• How engineers troubleshoot complex integrated systems when the answer isn't obvious.
• How requirements and verification evidence are managed using tools such as DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, and ALM.
• How Agile development works on a large aerospace program.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be pursuing Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics major and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• An interest in aviation, avionics, software, systems engineering, integration, or test.
• Coursework or experience involving requirements, software, electronics, embedded systems, testing, or systems design.
• Familiarity with Agile development or tools such as DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, or ALM.
• Experience working on technical projects where you had to troubleshoot something that didn't work the first time.
• The confidence to ask questions when you don't understand something.

What We Offer:

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Relocation Eligibility

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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.

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.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, 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, and holidays.
• 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.

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.