Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Program Manager (TPM) (ONSITE)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Vacation

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, seeks a Principal Systems Engineer – Technical Program Manager to lead Open Systems Solutions product development in Cedar Rapids. You will guide system architecture, manage trade studies, and drive major engineering reviews while coordinating across hardware, software, and firmware teams.

The role requires EVM experience, agile leadership, and a SECRET clearance; travel up to 25% is possible as projects proceed.

Qualifications

• Active and transferable SECRET clearance required before start date.
• U.S. citizenship required for government clearance eligibility.
• Typically requires STEM degree with 8+ years experience or advanced degree with 5+ years.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the systems engineering team and coach junior engineers.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for system architecture and major trade studies.
• Lead planning, integration, demonstrations, and engineering reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR).
• Plan and execute work to meet schedule, cost, and performance goals with cross-functional teams.
• Provide EVM analysis and support government reporting requirements.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and opportunities across disciplines.
• Contribute hands-on when needed in lab and field integration and demonstrations.
• Facilitate multidisciplinary sessions and drive alignment across teams.
• Influence policies and engineering processes across boundaries.
• Mentor and review work of lower-level professionals.

Skills

Earned Value Management

Program management

Systems engineering

Agile methodologies

Technical leadership

Team coaching

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

MS Project

Confluence

JIRA

SysML/Cameo/Rhapsody

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

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.

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 delivers the capabilities, portfolio, and expertise needed to solve our customers’ toughest challenges and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer – Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead next‑generation Open System Architecture product development. This organization develops open standards‑compliant modular solutions and enables rapid deployment of mission‑critical capabilities to the warfighter. As part of Collins Mission Systems, OSS provides advanced communications, flight and ground computing, sensors, cyber solutions, and mission system integration.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical leadership for the systems engineering team, including defining scope, breaking down work packages, assigning tasks, coaching junior engineers, and ensuring delivery of high‑quality engineering artifacts.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for the program, guiding system architecture, major trade studies, requirements development, interface definition, and critical design decisions.
• Lead planning, development, integration, demonstrations, and major engineering events, including PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer technical reviews.
• Plan and execute project‑level work to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives, collaborating closely with program management and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis and support government reporting requirements.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities, ensuring proactive resolution and communication.
• Support hands‑on execution when necessary, including completing engineering tasks, participating in lab and field integration events, or stepping in to deliver technical demonstrations.
• Lead effective multidisciplinary working sessions and trade studies, facilitating decision‑making and driving alignment across systems, hardware, software, and firmware teams.
• Influence technical and operational policies, working across organizational boundaries to shape practices and engineering processes.
• Coach, mentor, and review work of lower‑level professionals, fostering technical growth and a strong team culture.

Up to 25% Travel Required.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with EVM and understanding of government reporting requirements.
• Proven ability to plan and execute engineering work to meet schedule, cost, and performance goals.
• Familiarity with Agile processes and methodologies.
• Experience supporting or integrating systems engineering, software, hardware, and firmware development.
• Active and transferable SECRET clearance is required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• 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 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 in technical risk & opportunity management, interface definition, and configuration management.
• Agile leadership experience (Scrum Master, Product Owner, etc.).
• Experience with bidding, estimating tools (SEER), and BOE development.
• Familiarity with military CONOPS or radio performance standards.
• Experience in 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 with 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.
• 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.
• Position eligible for relocation assistance.

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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