Senior Principal Cyber Researcher - AI Security/GPU

globalhr; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation for newly hire

Generous 401(k) plan with employer and

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer with AI security and GPU experience to lead research and development for mission- and safety-critical platforms. You will collaborate across hardware, software, and systems teams to translate research into real-world cybersecurity capabilities.

The role requires DoD-level security clearance readiness and willingness to travel, with onsite work at the Cedar Rapids facility and U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance
• 1+ years experience working with embedded systems or industrial control systems or operational technology
• Prior experience in reinforcement learning, intelligence agent and/or machine learning
• Experience supporting or leading research activities

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical and strategic management of novel research and development projects in the cyber physical security focused on AI Security and GPU use
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of hardware, software, communications, and systems engineers to develop, integrate, and evaluate new AI security engineering approaches and technologies
• Lead advanced technology demonstrations delivering early customer engagement, innovation, and business impact
• Lead technical proposal preparation and the execution of government-sponsored science and technology research
• Cultivate strong partnerships with technology stakeholders across Collins business and customers to ensure collaboration and strategic alignment
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time

Skills

AI security

GPU design

vulnerability analysis

research leadership

customer collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-09-17

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Top Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Join Collins Aerospace’s Applied Research & Technology team and help shape the future of cybersecurity at the intersection of AI, GPUs, and connected cyber-physical systems.

We’re looking for an experienced Cybersecurity Engineer with expertise in AI security, GPU design, and emerging security technologies to lead complex research and development efforts. You’ll serve as a key technical contributor, working across multidisciplinary teams to develop and transition innovative security solutions for mission- and safety-critical platforms.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in AI security, GPU or embedded systems, vulnerability analysis, and emerging cybersecurity research, along with the ability to lead technical teams, support new pursuits, and collaborate with customers and business partners to turn research into real-world capabilities.

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical and strategic management of novel research and development projects in the cyber physical security focused on AI Security and GPU use
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of hardware, software, communications, and systems engineers to develop, integrate, and evaluate new AI security engineering approaches and technologies
• Lead advanced technology demonstrations delivering early customer engagement, innovation, and business impact
• Lead technical proposal preparation and the execution of government-sponsored science and technology research
• Cultivate strong partnerships with technology stakeholders across Collins business and customers to ensure collaboration and strategic alignment
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance
• 1+ years experience working with embedded systems or industrial control systems or operational technology
• Prior experience in reinforcement learning, intelligence agent and/or machine learning
• Experience supporting or leading research activities

Qualifications We Prefer

• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization
• Aerospace or defense experience
• Active DoD security clearance

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.

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
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

*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.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.