Principal Systems Engineer - Secure TacCom

Choosecolumbusga; Cedar Rapids, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) plan

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead analysis, architecture, and design across the full system lifecycle for cross‑domain, cryptographic subsystems. This onsite role collaborates with portfolio teams to deliver secure, high‑confidence solutions for warfighters.

The position requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience (or an advanced degree with 5+ years), active Secret clearance, and strong hardware–software integration, verification, and

Qualifications

• Experience with hardware and software integration, validation, verification, and qualification testing.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret security clearance required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance eligibility.
• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture and design across the full system product lifecycle.
• Translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Decompose customer specs into subsystem requirements and define verification plans.
• Manage system integration, verification and validation, cost, risk, and supportability analyses.
• Contribute to bid and proposal efforts.

Skills

Hardware-Software Integration

Verification & Validation

Qualification Testing

Stakeholder Communication

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Rust

Python

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

Country: United States of America

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

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 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.

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
• 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!

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 customers succeed today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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

Collins Aerospace MiS

#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.

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.

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.

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