Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer in Cedar Rapids to lead next-gen Open System Architecture product development. You will drive technical direction, oversee cross-functional integration, and manage schedules, cost, and performance targets.

The role requires extensive engineering leadership, experience with architecture definition, and the ability to collaborate with customers and suppliers in high-visibility settings.

Qualifications

• Extensive systems or multi-disciplinary engineering leadership experience.
• Ability to define technical direction and architecture for complex programs.
• Strong planning, estimation, scheduling, and cost/control skills.
• Experience in risk management and issue resolution for large programs.
• Proven track record leading verification, validation, and qualification activities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical design authority for key Open System Architecture components.
• Lead cross-discipline integration across systems, software, electrical and mechanical domains.
• Develop and manage engineering plans, scope, schedules, and cost controls.
• Coordinate technical content for proposals, contracts, and specifications.
• Set design direction and oversee verification, validation, and qualification activities.
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and suppliers; travel up to 25%.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Architectural direction

Cross-functional integration

Project planning & controls

Risk & opportunity management

Verification & qualification

Agile mission knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AMS GRA

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106

Date Posted:

2026-07-20

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106

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. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

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, 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 Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer 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.

As a Chief Engineer, you will serve as the technical design authority and engineering leader for a strategically critical segment of next generation platforms. In this role, you will drive cross discipline integration, ensure technical excellence, and lead execution across engineering, program, and customer domains.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the technical design authority for the Multi-Function Processing & Secure Solutions Products within OSS, ensuring architecture and decisions align with program & product line strategy
• Lead cross-discipline integration across systems, software, electrical, mechanical, and specialty engineering
• Develop and manage engineering plans, including scope, schedules, estimates, and project controls
• Coordinate technical content for proposals, business cases, specifications, and contract commitments
• Set design direction and oversee development, integration, verification, validation, and qualification activities
• Identify issues, drive timely resolution, and maintain execution alignment to cost, schedule, and performance targets
• Coordinate resources and partner with functional leaders to ensure the right engineering skillsets are applied
• Act as the primary technical interface for program leadership, customers, and suppliers
• Travel up to 25% required

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

Qualifications You Must Have

• Extensive experience in systems, software, or multi-disciplinary engineering leadership roles
• Demonstrated authority in leading technical direction, architecture definition, and cross-functional integration on complex programs
• Proven experience planning and executing engineering scope, including work breakdown structures, estimates, schedules, and project controls
• Strong background in technical risk & opportunity management, issue resolution, and execution within cost/schedule/quality targets
• Experience leading verification, validation, and qualification activities for mission-critical systems
• Proven ability to collaborate with program management, customers, and suppliers in a high-visibility technical leadership capacity
• Experience with Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture (AMS GRA)
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain Top Secret after start date
• U.S. citizenship only (dual citizenship not permitted) is required, as access to information under this program/contract is restricted to individuals with sole U.S. citizenship.
• 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

• Prior technical leadership experience as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or equivalent architecture/ownership role
• Experience with mission systems, avionics, or other complex, integrated software/hardware product families
• Demonstrated success driving engineering strategy, process improvements, and architectural cohesion across large programs or portfolios
• Background in supporting proposals, business plans, or contract negotiations for technically complex systems
• Knowledge of regulatory, certification, or qualification requirements applicable to mission products
• Ability to lead and influence without direct authority across engineering functions
• Experience leading within an agile execution model with knowledge and experience in agile tools such as JIRA & Confluence

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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

What We Offer (cont.)

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.

Onsite Note

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.

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

Employee Referral Eligible

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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