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 coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Three weeks vacation

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Bonus programs

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Principal Systems Engineer to drive avionics solutions and influence major technical decisions. You will partner across disciplines to deliver safety-critical products for commercial and military customers.

You will lead system definition, architecture development, and integration planning, ensuring compliance with certs and processes while shaping technology roadmaps and strategic directions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science/Engineering and minimum experience.
• Leadership in certified aerospace or complex systems.
• Experience in system architectures and cross-domain collaboration.
• Knowledge of avionics certification requirements like DO-160/DO-178B/C.

Responsibilities

• Define and refine system engineering approaches for products.
• Lead system definition, architecture development, and integration.
• Ensure compliance with engineering processes and plans.
• Influence product strategy and contribute to roadmaps.

Skills

System engineering leadership

Avionics knowledge

Architecture definition

Regulatory requirements DO-178B/C

Education

Degree in STEM

Advanced degree

Tools

DO-254

Job description

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

Date Posted: 2026-10-09

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: 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

• 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 attend select 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 & 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.