Principal Systems Engineer -Displays (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; 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

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids invites a Principal Systems Engineer to shape next‑gen avionics. You will lead system definitions, architectures, and integration with hardware and software teams, delivering safety‑critical products for commercial and military customers.

You will influence technology roadmaps, own certification strategies, and guide cross‑functional problem solving across disciplines to meet demanding program goals. Onsite role with extensive collaboration.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and 8+ years of experience OR an Advanced Degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Leadership experience in developing certified aerospace or other complex, regulated systems.
• Demonstrated success creating or contributing to system architectures and collaborating across engineering domains.
• Knowledge of avionics certification or regulatory requirements such as TSO, DO-160, DO-254, or DO-178B/C.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a system engineering technical leader, defining and refining approaches that build on existing product foundations while meeting customer and program needs.
• Lead systems engineering activities including system definition, architecture development, and integration planning in partnership with hardware, software, and program teams.
• Ensure compliance with established engineering processes, certification requirements, and program design plans.
• Apply your avionics or complex‑systems expertise to influence product strategy, contribute to technology roadmaps, and support future pursuits.

Skills

Leadership experience

System architectures

Regulatory requirements

Avionics knowledge

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Avionics standards DO-178B/C

Certification processes

Job description

Country

United States of America

Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

Position Role Type

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

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.

Are you motivated by solving complex engineering problems and guiding technology that impacts pilots, missions, and global aviation? At Collins Aerospace, we're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to help drive the evolution of next‑generation avionics solutions. In this role, you'll influence major technical decisions, partner across disciplines, and shape systems that support both commercial and military customers. Whether your strengths lie in integration, requirements leadership, technical strategy, or cross‑functional problem solving, you’ll have the opportunity to play a crucial role in delivering high‑performance, safety‑critical products that define the future of flight.

What You Will Do

• Serve as a system engineering technical leader, defining and refining approaches that build on existing product foundations while meeting customer and program needs.
• Lead systems engineering activities including system definition, architecture development, and integration planning in partnership with hardware, software, and program teams.
• Ensure compliance with established engineering processes, certification requirements, and program design plans.
• Apply your avionics or complex‑systems expertise to influence product strategy, contribute to technology roadmaps, and support future pursuits.

What You Will Learn

• Gain deep understanding of safety‑critical avionics development and how certified flight deck systems are designed, integrated, and delivered.
• Strengthen your leadership skills by coordinating across technical teams, guiding design decisions, and shaping project outcomes.
• Develop advanced systems‑engineering and strategic planning capabilities while working with global teams, suppliers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.

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
• Leadership experience in developing certified aerospace or other complex, regulated systems.
• Demonstrated success creating or contributing to system architectures and collaborating across engineering domains.
• Knowledge of avionics certification or regulatory requirements such as TSO, DO‑160, DO‑254, or DO‑178B/C.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Background in optics, display technology, electronics, or hardware/software integration.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, especially when coordinating across teams or presenting to leadership.

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!

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.