Principal Systems Engineer - Secure TacCom

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead architecture, design, and verification of cross-domain cryptographic products for national defense. The role emphasizes system-level analyses, requirements decomposition, and program leadership in a collaborative, onsite environment in the U.S.

The candidate will work in the Secure Subsystems Department, collaborating with portfolio teams to deliver secure, high-assurance solutions for warfighters.

Qualifications

• Experience with hardware and software integration, validation and verification testing, and qualification testing.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, architect and design at all levels of the total system product from concept to disposal.
• Translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications with traceable verification criteria.
• Decompose specifications into subsystem and parts requirements and develop verification plans.
• Perform system-level analyses including planning, integration, validation, cost and risk assessments.
• Lead bid and proposal efforts.

Skills

Hardware/Software Integration

Verification & Validation Testing

Qualification Testing

Scaled Agile framework

Cryptographic hardware architecture

Network Encryption specifications

Strong communication skills

Rust

Python

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

Country: United States of America

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: Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

This position is for a Principal Systems Engineer. The Secure Subsystems Department is responsible for the design, test, and certification of cross-domain technologies and cryptographic products that equip our warfighters to thrive in today’s multi-domain battlespace. Our department collaborates with portfolio teams across the organization to help capture new business and create security-hardened solutions that address our customers’ demanding needs.

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

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 develops 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 bid and proposal efforts

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with Hardware and Software Integration, Validation & Verification Testing, and Qualification Testing
• 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.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret 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 Hardwarearchitecture/design,Network Encryption specifications and test methodologies
• Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO or similar, Software Languages such as Rust and Python.

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
• 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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

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.

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:

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms