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

Relocation assistance

Three weeks of vacation

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, seeks a Principal Systems Engineer Integration & Test Lead in Cedar Rapids, IA. You will oversee cross-domain integration and verification activities for Open System Architecture products, guiding teams through plans, execution, and validation to meet cost, schedule, and performance goals.

You will collaborate with systems, software, hardware, and program leadership in a fast-paced environment, driving continuous improvement of integration workflows and test

Qualifications

• Experience with system development processes from requirements to production transfer.
• Hands-on test planning, procedure development, execution, and results analysis.
• Ability to diagnose, root cause, and resolve integration defects across software and hardware domains.
• Coordinate across multiple disciplines and manage changing technical priorities.
• Experience with test tools, measurement equipment, scripting, and automation techniques.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government security clearance is required before start.
• U.S. citizenship only is required for access to sensitive information.
• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience or a related advanced degree with 5+ years.

Responsibilities

• Lead system integration and test activities across multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop integration strategies, test plans, procedures, environments, and schedules.
• Drive system bring-up, lab activities, and test events aligned with milestones.
• Identify and resolve integration issues with responsible engineering teams.
• Ensure verification/validation meets coverage, compliance, and quality standards.
• Provide test status, metrics, and technical assessments to management.

Skills

Systems engineering

Test planning

Root cause analysis

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Automation scripting

Security clearance

STEM degree prerequisite

Education

Degree in STEM (B.S. or higher)

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

SysML/Cameo/Rhapsody

MATLAB

MS Project

Confluence/JIRA

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106

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

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
• 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!

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.

Privacy Policy and Terms

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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.

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.