Principal Hardware Design Engineer - Computing Products (Onsite)

globalhr; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to join the Computing Products Department, onsite. The role covers design, analysis, integration, and testing across avionics hardware—including ruggedized mission computers, video processing modules, and network products.

The candidate will lead high-speed digital circuit design, EMI control, manufacturability, testability, and thermal management, collaborating with Systems, Software, Mechanical, and

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM and 8+ years of relevant aerospace/defense experience.
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) for Avionics Computers (Processors, Memory, interfaces).
• Work with lab equipment for integration testing of hardware designs.
• Schematic capture of digital/analog mixed signal electrical circuit designs.
• Avionics I/O (Ethernet, ARINC 429, MIL-STD 1553, PCIe).
• Oversight of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout.
• Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT).
• Mentoring and delegating tasks to less experienced engineers.

Skills

Circuit design

Schematic capture

PCB layout

EMI/EMC

Mentoring

Education

STEM degree

Tools

Circuit simulation tools

PCB layout tools

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-09-23

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

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.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Electrical Engineer to join the Computing Products Department within the Displays, Computing & Networking Directorate. This department is responsible for the development and sustainment of state-of-the-art avionics hardware products including ruggedized mission computers, video processing modules, and network products used in commercial and military aircraft platforms. This role is onsite, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

This role supports all phases of the hardware development lifecycle—program pursuit, design, integration, verification, and factory transition.

The selected candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including Systems, Software, Mechanical, Environmental Effects, Manufacturing/Operations, and Design-to-Cost teams, to ensure all product requirements are successfully achieved. Strong expertise in high-speed digital circuit board design, EMI control, manufacturability, testability, and thermal management is essential

What You Will Do:

• Design and analyze Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) for Avionics Computers (Processors, Memory, interfaces)
• Work with lab equipment for integration testing of hardware designs
• Schematic capture of digital/analog mixed signal electrical circuit designs
• Avionics I/O (Ethernet, ARINC 429, MIL-STD 1553, PCIe
• Oversight of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout
• Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT)
• Mentoring and delegating tasks to less experienced engineers

Qualifications You Must Have :

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and independently on assigned tasks
• Experience in the Defense or Aerospace industry
• EMI/EMC, Lighting protection circuits and testing
• Demonstrated use of software tools for electrical circuit simulation and/or Printed Circuit Board layout
• Experience with Avionics regulatory and certification requirements: TSO, DO-160, or DO-254, MIL-STD-461
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and drive corrective actions

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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 you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance,critical illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
• 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!

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

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.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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. 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. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. 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.

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