Principal Systems Engineer - Secure TacCom (Active Clearance)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Three weeks of vacation

Job summary

Prattwhitney is looking for an experienced Systems Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role focuses on the design, development, and integration of secure military communication solutions for domestic and international customers.

The ideal candidate will hold a STEM degree with substantial engineering experience and possess strong communication skills. Benefits include medical insurance, tuition reimbursement, and a generous salary range of $107,500 to $204,500.

Qualifications

• 8+ years relevant experience or 5+ years with advanced degree.
• Experience with systems development life-cycle.
• Active U.S. Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture, and design for secure military communication.
• Conduct functional analysis and translate customer needs into specifications.
• Plan system integration, verification, and validation.

Skills

Communication skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Experience with Scaled Agile Framework

Software proficiency in Rust and Python

Education

STEM degree (B.Sc./M.Sc.)

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join our Mission Systems Secure Systems Department at Collins Aerospace, an RTX company. The role focuses on design, development, and integration of secure military communication solutions, supporting domestic and international customers.

Location & Eligibility

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA. The position requires U.S. citizenship and an active, transferable DoD Secret clearance (existing on day‑one).

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture, and design at all system levels from concept through disposal.
• Conduct functional analysis, trade studies, requirement allocation, and interface definition to translate customer needs into hardware and software specifications.
• Decompose customer specifications into subsystem and part requirements, develop verification criteria, and plan verification.
• Plan technical activities, system integration, verification, validation, cost, risk, supportability, and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.
• Participate in bid and proposal development.

Learning & Development Opportunities

• Technical leadership experience and mentorship with cross‑functional teams.
• Exposure to security‑hardened products, encryption, and cyber‑security certification processes.
• Opportunity to work with cryptographic hardware architecture, network encryption specifications, and testing methodologies.
• Collaboration with subject‑matter experts and executive‑level program management.

Required Qualifications

• STEM degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with at least 5 years of experience.
• Prior experience with the systems development life‑cycle: requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, verification/validation, and transition to production.
• Active, transferable U.S. Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Strong communication skills for presenting technical data to program management and executives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the Scaled Agile Framework.
• Familiarity with Cryptographic Hardware architecture/design and network encryption specifications.
• Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO, or similar.
• Proficiency in software languages such as Rust and Python.
• Hardware and software integration, validation/verification, and qualification testing experience.

Benefits & Compensation

• Medical, dental, vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for new hires.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment.
• Life and disability insurance, optional pet, home & auto insurance, and additional accident coverage.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Plan, wellness incentives, and mental‑health support.
• Relocation assistance and flexible work options.
• Salary range: $107,500 – $204,500 (USD).

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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. We provide affirmative action 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.