Senior Principal Project Engineer - Chief Engineer (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Vacation time

401(k) plan with matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer – Chief Engineer to lead next-generation Open System Architecture product development. You will act as the technical design authority, driving cross-discipline integration, architecture decisions, and execution across engineering, program, and customer domains.

In this role you will manage engineering plans, oversee verification/validation, and coordinate content for proposals while partnering with

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership in systems, software, or multi-disciplinary engineering roles.
• Authority in setting technical direction and architecture for complex programs.
• Experience planning and executing engineering scope with WBS, estimates, schedules, and controls.
• Proven ability to manage technical risk, issue resolution, and cost/schedule targets.
• Experience leading verification, validation, and qualification for mission-critical systems.
• Collaborates with program management, customers, and suppliers in high-visibility roles.
• Experience with Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture (AMS GRA).

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical design authority for OSS products, aligning with program and 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 controls.
• Coordinate technical content for proposals, specs, and contracts.
• Set design direction and oversee development, integration, testing, and qualification activities.
• Identify issues and drive timely resolutions to stay aligned with cost, schedule and performance targets.
• Coordinate resources and partner with functional leaders to apply the right engineering skills.
• Act as primary technical interface for program leadership, customers, and suppliers.
• Travel up to 25% as required.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Architecture definition

Cross-functional integration

Project planning & controls

Risk & opportunity management

AMS GRA experience

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

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.

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!

Employee Referral Eligible

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.

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.

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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