Principal Systems Engineer, Secure Systems -Active Secret (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to work on secure military communications. This role offers the chance to shape advanced systems that support encrypted communications for military forces globally. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring mission success and national security. If you are passionate about solving real-world challenges and thrive in a dynamic environment, this is an exciting opportunity to advance your career and contribute to impactful projects.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement program

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Employee Assistance Plan

Wellness rewards program

Virtual doctor visits

Relocation eligibility

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Systems Engineering or 5+ years with an advanced degree.
• Active U.S. government issued security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and design systems for secure military communications.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Communication Skills

Requirements Analysis

Problem Solving

Education

Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)

Advanced Degree in a related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Rust

Python

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer, Secure Systems -Active Secret (Onsite)

Principal Systems Engineer, Secure Systems -Active Secret (Onsite)

Location: HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

Time Type: Full time

Date Posted: 2025-04-03

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer – Secure Systems to join our growing team in Cedar Rapids, IA.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned Systems Engineering professional to work on the cutting edge of secure military communications.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping and developing advanced systems that support encrypted, protected communications for military forces around the globe. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver complete, innovative solutions that meet the complex needs of both U.S. and international defense customers.

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you’ll take ownership of system-level design, integration, and validation, helping bring highly secure and reliable technologies from concept to deployment. Your work will directly contribute to mission success and national security.

At Collins Aerospace, we value curious minds and problem solvers. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. If you're passionate about solving real-world challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in secure systems—we want to hear from you!

What You will do:

• Perform analysis, architecture and design at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Perform functional analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Provide analyses for the decomposition of customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements, and develop verification criteria and plans for the requirements.
• Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.
• Perform daily tasks in a classified and controlled lab environment.
• Perform bid and proposal efforts.

What You will learn:

• You will gain technical leadership experience, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to very influential individuals within Mission Systems that will help advance your career.
• You will obtain invaluable experience working with our subject matter experts in addition to security and crypto certification specialists, our customer base, and cross-functional integrated product team.
• You can take flight to becoming knowledgeable in security hardened products with exposure to the variety of business and products in an ever-evolving field. We are growing, so can you!

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 or in absence of a degree, 12 years of relevant experience.
• 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.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Familiarity with the Scaled Agile framework.
• Exceptionally strong communication skills, experience presenting technical data to program management and executive leadership.
• Experienced with Cryptographic Hardware architecture/design, Network Encryption specifications and test methodologies.
• Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO or similar, Software Languages such as Rust and Python.
• Experience with the systems development process, including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, and verification/validation, and transition to production.

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 including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits.
• Ovia 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.
• Eligible for relocation.
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

Employee Referral Eligible

The salary range for this role is 101,000 USD - 203,000 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.

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.