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

RTX; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Parental leave benefits

Adoption Assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, in Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks a Principal Systems Engineer for Integration & Test Lead to steer cross-domain integration and testing of open-system products. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, plan integration milestones, and ensure robust verification and validation for mission-critical capabilities.

The role emphasizes leadership of integration activities, test readiness, and collaboration with systems, software, hardware, and program leadership in a

Qualifications

• Experience with systems development processes: requirements, design, integration, verification/validation, production transition.
• Hands-on test planning, procedure development, execution, and results analysis.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve integration defects across software and hardware domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of system integration and test activities across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Develop integration strategies, test plans, environments, and schedules.
• Drive system bring-up, lab activities, and test events aligned with program milestones.
• Identify and resolve integration issues with root cause analysis.
• Ensure verification and validation meet coverage, compliance, and quality standards.
• Provide test status, metrics, and assessments to management.
• Manage test assets, environments, and configurations including hardware/software loads.
• Support customer test events and formal sell-off activities.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to refine requirements and interfaces.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of integration workflows and automation.
• Provide technical leadership to junior engineers.
• 10% Travel Required

Skills

System integration

Test planning

Root cause analysis

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Test tools

Scripting/automation

Education

STEM degree (Science/Tech/Engineering/Math)

Advanced degree (related field)

Tools

MS Project

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

Date Posted:2026-10-05Country: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 1Collins 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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with cross-domain technologies, Cryptographic Hardwarearchitecture/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 illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit