Principal Systems Engineer - Integration and Test Lead - Open Systems Solution (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vacation 3 weeks

401(k) Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer Integration & Test Lead in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to drive cross-domain integration and test activities for Open System Architecture products. You will guide plans, lead integration builds, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced defense environment.

Requirements include a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience (or an advanced degree with 5+), active DoD Secret clearance, and U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

• Experience with systems development processes including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, verification/validation, and transition to production.
• Hands on experience with test planning, procedure development, execution, and results analysis.
• Ability to diagnose, root cause, and resolve integration defects across software and hardware domains.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple disciplines and manage dynamic technical priorities.
• Experience with test tools, measurement equipment, scripting, and automation techniques.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship only (dual citizenship not permitted) is required, as access to information under this program/contract is restricted to individuals with sole U.S. citizenship.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of system integration and test activities across multi disciplinary engineering teams
• Develop integration strategies, system test plans, procedures, environments, and schedules
• Drive system bring up, integration builds, lab activities, and test events, ensuring alignment with program milestones
• Identify, track, and resolve integration issues, including root cause analysis and problem solving with responsible engineering teams
• Ensure verification and validation activities meet requirements coverage, compliance, and quality standards
• Provide test status, metrics, and technical assessments to program management and leadership
• Manage test assets, environments, and system configurations, including hardware, software loads, and tools
• Support customer test events, demonstrations, and formal sell off activities
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to refine requirements, interface definitions, and testability considerations
• Contribute to continuous improvement of integration workflows, test automation, and engineering processes
• Provide technical leadership to junior engineers
• 10% Travel Required

Skills

Systems engineering

Test planning

Root cause analysis

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Automation

Scripting

MS Project

Confluence/JIRA

SysML/Cameo/Rhapsody

Security clearance

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (optional)

Tools

Matlab

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-05 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, 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.

The Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer Integration & Test Lead to support our next generation Open System Architecture product development. Our organization delivers modular, open standards compliant solutions that enable rapid deployment of mission critical capabilities to the warfighter. This individual will oversee system integration activities and lead the planning, execution, and verification of cross-domain technologies and cryptographic products that equip warfighters to operate effectively in today’s multi-domain battlespace. This role provides integration and test leadership for products incorporating advanced communications, cyber, and cryptographic technologies. In this position, you will guide cross-functional engineering teams through integration builds, test readiness activities, issue resolution, and system performance validation. You will own the development of integration plans, ensure robust test coverage, and drive technical execution to meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives. Success in this role requires close collaboration with systems, software, hardware, and program leadership in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

What You Will Do

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of system integration and test activities across multi disciplinary engineering teams
• Develop integration strategies, system test plans, procedures, environments, and schedules
• Drive system bring up, integration builds, lab activities, and test events, ensuring alignment with program milestones
• Identify, track, and resolve integration issues, including root cause analysis and problem solving with responsible engineering teams
• Ensure verification and validation activities meet requirements coverage, compliance, and quality standards
• Provide test status, metrics, and technical assessments to program management and leadership
• Manage test assets, environments, and system configurations, including hardware, software loads, and tools
• Support customer test events, demonstrations, and formal sell off activities
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to refine requirements, interface definitions, and testability considerations
• Contribute to continuous improvement of integration workflows, test automation, and engineering processes
• Provide technical leadership to junior engineers
• 10% Travel Required

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with systems development processes including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, verification/validation, and transition to production
• Hands on experience with test planning, procedure development, execution, and results analysis
• Ability to diagnose, root cause, and resolve integration defects across software and hardware domains
• Ability to coordinate across multiple disciplines and manage dynamic technical priorities
• Experience with test tools, measurement equipment, scripting, and automation techniques
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship only (dual citizenship not permitted) is required, as access to information under this program/contract is restricted to individuals with sole U.S. citizenship
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cross-domain technologies, Cryptographic Hardware architecture/design, Network Encryption specifications and test methodologies
• Knowledge of lab environments, SIL/HIL setups, or classified system integration environments
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody)
• Proficiency with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Matlab)
• Experience with MS Project, Confluence, JIRA, or similar tools
• Experience with bidding, estimating tools (SEER), and BOE development
• Design-to-cost, design-for-manufacturing background, or experience transitioning products to production
• Existing SAP clearance

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 illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family planning
• 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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Employee Referral Eligible #MISENG 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 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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.