Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer (ONSITE)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vacation benefits (3 weeks)

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Life & disability insurance

Adoption Assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA to lead next-generation Open System Architecture product development. You will act as the technical design authority, drive cross-discipline integration, and oversee milestones across engineering, program, and customer domains.

The role requires extensive systems and software leadership experience, with a strong emphasis on architecture, risk management, and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree with minimum 7 years of experience.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance required prior to start date; Top Secret may be obtained after start date.
• Experience leading technical direction, architecture definition, and cross-functional integration on complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical design authority for OSS products within Collins OSS.
• 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, specifications, and contracts
• Set design direction and oversee development, verification, validation, and qualification activities
• Identify issues, drive timely resolution, and ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and performance targets
• Coordinate resources and partner with functional leaders to apply the right engineering skillsets
• Act as primary technical interface for program leadership, customers, and suppliers
• Travel up to 25% required

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Technical design authority

Risk & opportunity management

Verification & validation leadership

Program management collaboration

Agile execution AMS GRA

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

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