Senior Principal Engineer - Algorithms (ONSITE)

RTX (Raytheon); Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) plan with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, located in Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead JBALS airborne algorithms development within the Precision Landing Engineering organization. The role focuses on model-based development, verification, and integration across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring rigor from paper to field.

You will drive requirements, test and validate algorithms, and champion advanced MBSE tools while addressing complex mathematics and flight dynamics in a DoD setting.

Qualifications

• Experience across the complete model-based development lifecycle.
• Strong background in high-assurance airborne algorithms.
• Experience with model-based design tools and verification.

Responsibilities

• Define and decompose requirements for airborne algorithms.
• Test algorithms and models; develop rapid testing automation.
• Provide architecture-level insight for high-assurance airborne algorithms.
• Drive design from concept to field deployment.
• Solve complex flight dynamics, mathematics, and physics problems.
• Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering tools.
• Perform verification and validation to rigorous standards.
• Analyze system troubleshooting and basic software debugging.
• Participate in the full SE lifecycle from requirements to verification.

Skills

Mathematical modeling

System engineering

Airborne algorithms

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

STEM degree

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Polyspace

Embedded Coder

Stateflow

Design Verifier

DO-178/ARP standards

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-13

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

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: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

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.

The Senior Principal Systems Engineer Algorithms position will be a key driver of the development, integration and product ionization of the Joint Precision Approach & Landing System (JPALS) Airborne Algorithms (AA) within the Precision Landing Engineering organization. The program is looking for a Subject-Matter-Expert in Model Based Development of Airborne Algorithms with experience interfacing with multidisciplinary teams of engineers. The ideal candidate comes with experience in the complete toolset and the entire systems engineering lifecycle.

What You Will Do

• Define and decompose requirements related to airborne algorithms
• Test algorithms and models for the JPALS program, as well as developing rapid automation of testing
• Provide architecture-level insight and direction for and formulate conceptual designs for the design of high assurance airborne algorithms
• Be Involved in all technical aspects of driving a design from paper to the field
• Solve complex problems in flight dynamics, aviation, advanced mathematics and physics
• Incorporate and champion the use of groundbreaking Model-Based Systems Engineering Development Tools
• Perform Verification and Validation to the highest levels of Rigor of the systems on which you work
• Conduct analysis for system trouble shooting and analysis to include a basic ability to debug software
• Participate in the full System Engineering Lifecycle from Requirements Capture to Verification and Documentation

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience in the entire MathWorks tool set, including but not limited to: Matlab, Simulink, Polyspace, Embedded Coder, Requirements toolbox, Stateflow, Design Verifier
• Experience in reading and developing algorithm descriptions, mathematical expressions and derivations, matrix manipulations, outlier analysis, and system level analysis
• Expertise of standards and objectives in the following certification rigors: DO-178, ARP, and MIL-STD-882E
• Experience in Vector-Based Testing
• Experience performing high-rigor software assurance verification activities such as Margin Analysis, Data dictionary, Link Analysis, MCDC, and others
• Previous exposure to fielded Precision Approach and Landing Algorithms
• Experience in Code Optimization and Auto-generation experience
• Proficient in reading and developing algorithm descriptions, mathematical expressions and derivations, matrix manipulations, outlier analysis, and system level analysis
• Experience in the systems engineering discipline
• 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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Background in Advanced Mathematics or Physics
• Experience performing Cost/Benefit analysis of prospective new tools and infrastructure
• Proficient in performing data analysis and problem solving (e.g. anomaly investigation)

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
• Carrot Health to hormonal 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!