Chief Engineer - Open Systems Architect (Secret Clearance)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer in Cedar Rapids to lead next-gen Open System Architecture product development. You will drive technical direction, oversee cross-functional integration, and manage schedules, cost, and performance targets.

The role requires extensive engineering leadership, experience with architecture definition, and the ability to collaborate with customers and suppliers in high-visibility settings.

Qualifications

• Extensive systems or multi-disciplinary engineering leadership experience.
• Ability to define technical direction and architecture for complex programs.
• Strong planning, estimation, scheduling, and cost/control skills.
• Experience in risk management and issue resolution for large programs.
• Proven track record leading verification, validation, and qualification activities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical design authority for key Open System Architecture components.
• Lead cross-discipline integration across systems, software, electrical and mechanical domains.
• Develop and manage engineering plans, scope, schedules, and cost controls.
• Coordinate technical content for proposals, contracts, and specifications.
• Set design direction and oversee verification, validation, and qualification activities.
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and suppliers; travel up to 25%.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Architectural direction

Cross-functional integration

Project planning & controls

Risk & opportunity management

Verification & qualification

Agile mission knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AMS GRA

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer in Cedar Rapids to lead next-gen Open System Architecture product development. You will drive technical direction, oversee cross-functional integration, and manage schedules, cost, and performance targets.

The role requires extensive engineering leadership, experience with architecture definition, and the ability to collaborate with customers and suppliers in high-visibility settings.