Principal Project Engineer – Computing Products (Onsite)

Socket.dev; 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

401(k) plan with employer matching and

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX business, seeks a Principal Project Engineer for the Avionics Network Hardware team in the Displays, Controls, Computing & Networking Directorate. The role guides cross‑functional teams through the entire product lifecycle from concept to delivery, establishing engineering direction and criteria aligned with customer and business goals.

The position requires a STEM degree with 8+ years (or an advanced degree with 5+ years), strong leadership, and experience in integrated

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and 8+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Experience leading multi‑discipline engineering teams or projects.
• Ability to manage cost, schedule and technical performance commitments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with customers and cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical integration across engineering domains through full product lifecycle.
• Define design concepts, criteria and technical direction for R&D, integration and test, production support, and safety.
• Serve as technical decision authority to resolve issues and maintain commitments.
• Develop and communicate engineering plans, strategies and roadmaps.
• Oversee project controls, schedules and cost estimates, and secure resources.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain and customers for program success.
• Lead customer-facing activities including bids, proposals and basis‑of‑estimate development.
• Plan for team resource needs and foster a high‑performance culture.

Skills

STEM degree

Team leadership

Cost management

Strong communication

Education

STEM degree

Tools

ARINC 664

Systems engineering

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-18

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The company will offer immigration sponsorship for this position, if needed. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

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 Project Engineer to join our Avionics Network Hardware team within the Computing Products Department of the Displays, Controls, Computing & Networking Directorate.

Our team develops and sustains high‑bandwidth, mission‑critical networking solutions supporting both avionics aircraft control and airline information services. Our product portfolio includes:

• Next‑generation network and computing solutions
• ARINC 664 network switches and end systems
• High‑performance, high‑assurance computing modules
• Video and graphics processing hardware

The Principal Project Engineer serves as the technical authority and leads cross‑discipline engineering integration across avionics network system programs. In this role, you will guide a cross-functional team through the full product lifecycle—from concept and design through procurement, production, assembly, test, and final delivery. You will define engineering direction, establish design concepts and criteria, and ensure alignment with program, customer, and business objectives. Your leadership will directly drive program execution, improve operational performance, and deliver high‑quality, technically robust solutions.

What You Will Do:

• Lead technical integration across all engineering domains, ensuring cohesive execution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Establish and evaluate design concepts, engineering criteria, and technical direction for R&D, integration & test, production support, sustainment, and product/process safety.
• Serve as the technical decision authority, resolving engineering issues to prevent delays and maintain cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments.
• Develop and communicate engineering plans, operational strategies, and technology roadmaps.
• Oversee project controls, schedules, and cost estimates; monitor progress against plans and secure necessary resources.
• Collaborate closely with engineering peers, Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and customers to ensure successful program outcomes.
• Lead customer‑facing activities including bids, proposals, basis‑of‑estimate development, technical presentations, and support to contractual deliverables.
• Plan for team resource needs, anticipate organizational and project changes, and foster a high‑performance, results‑oriented culture.

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
• Demonstrated experience leading multi‑discipline engineering teams or projects
• Ability to manage cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with experience interfacing with customers and cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience with avionics networks, systems engineering, or integration & test
• Prior technical leadership or project engineering experience in regulated or safety‑critical industries
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate design concepts and guide technical decision‑making
• Experience developing proposals, estimates, or technical presentations

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-- the rest of the JSON was omitted for brevity but is available upon request.

  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.

  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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