Senior Principal Cyber Researcher - AI Security/GPU

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

RTX's Collins Aerospace Applied Research & Technology team seeks an experienced Cybersecurity Engineer with expertise in AI security, GPU design, and emerging security technologies to lead complex research and development efforts for mission- and safety-critical platforms.

You will guide cross‑disciplinary teams of hardware, software, and systems engineers to develop AI security engineering approaches and demonstrate new technologies, collaborating with customers to translate research into

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree; advanced degree with 7+ years acceptable.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain DoD clearance.
• Experience in RL/ML and security research.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development projects in cyber-physical security focusing on AI security and GPU use.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop and evaluate AI security approaches and technologies.
• Lead technology demonstrations delivering early customer engagement and business impact.
• Prepare technical proposals and execute government-sponsored research.
• Build partnerships across Collins Aerospace and customers for strategic alignment.
• Travel up to 10%.

Skills

AI security

GPU design

Embedded systems

Vulnerability analysis

Leadership

Education

STEM degree (or advanced degree) with required experience

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

We Prefer

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

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
• 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.

The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 USD.

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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry‑leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.