Senior Principal Systems Engineer (Systems Architect) (Hybrid)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vacation time

401(k) plan with match

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead the definition, development and evolution of complex aerospace systems. You will drive system architecture decisions and provide technical leadership across engineering teams to enable scalable system solutions.

The role requires deep systems engineering experience, MBSE proficiency, and the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders. Travel up to 15% and ETZ alignment are expected.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and 10+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 7+ years.
• Experience across requirements development, design, integration, verification, validation, and technical documentation.
• Ideal candidate has full lifecycle experience for civil certification programs.
• Hands-on experience applying ARP4754 throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Experience with MBSE tools and SysML modeling.
• Experience or familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines and version control.

Responsibilities

• Lead MBSE strategy and development across requirements, architecture, verification, and validation.
• Define and execute the System Solutions strategy and roadmap across business units.
• Coordinate with System Method Representatives and System Discipline Boards.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders such as the DPLC Technical Advisory Board.
• Mentor junior engineers and support proposals and business development.

Skills

Systems Engineering

MBSE

ARP4754

DevSecOps

CI/CD

Git

Requirements Management

Regulated Environment

Education

STEM Degree

Advanced Degree

Tools

Jama

Polarion

DOORS

Cameo

MagicDraw

Teamwork Cloud

SysML modeling

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

Position Role Type: Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required

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.

The System Solutions team is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead the definition, development and evolution of complex aerospace systems through strong systems engineering and architectural expertise. This role will own system architecture decisions, establish technical direction and provide technical leadership across engineering teams to enable the successful implementation and adoption of system solutions. The ideal candidate will bring deep systems engineering expertise and hands‑on experience across system architecture, requirements management, engineering automation, verification, validation and aerospace certification processes. The candidate will translate complex technical and business needs into scalable system architectures, establish engineering approaches and best practices, and provide technical guidance across multiple stakeholders and engineering disciplines. Experience with DevSecOps frameworks, aerospace development standards such as ARP4754, Digital Engineering and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is highly desirable. Experience applying these practices to modernize and automate systems engineering processes is especially valuable. If you are passionate about advancing systems engineering through automation, collaboration and innovative technologies, we encourage you to apply.

What You Will Do:

MBSE Strategy and Development: Lead the systems engineering team through all phases of system product development including stakeholder’s requirements capture, behavioral analysis, system architecture design, system verification, system validation and life‑cycle product support.

Lead the definition, development, and execution of the System Solutions strategy and roadmap for System Solutions. Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams to enable effective adoption, continuous improvement and support to programs across different business units.

Collaboration and Coordination:

Support coordination with System Method Representatives and System Discipline Boards by providing technical inputs, aligning priorities, and ensuring system engineering needs are represented.

Support external stakeholder collaboration, such as with the Digital Product Lifecycle (DPLC) Technical Advisory Board, through alignment and dependency meetings and collaboration on System capabilities and initiatives.

Work closely with System Solutions teams and the System Program Manager to coordinate dependencies, enable knowledge transfer across teams. Provide technical inputs, status, risks and recommendations.

Additional Responsibilities:

Support proposal and business development activities leveraging System engineering methodologies and automation practices.

Mentor and train junior systems engineers, ensuring the long‑term growth of expertise within System Solutions team.

Travel up to 15% as needed to support program and collaboration efforts.

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.

Experience in multiple areas of the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements development, design, integration, verification, validation, and technical documentation.

Ideal candidate will have experience across the full development lifecycle for civil certification programs.

Hands‑on experience applying ARP4754 throughout the system development lifecycle.

Experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Polarion, DOORS).

Experience/Interest in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles and tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw/Teamwork Cloud and SysML modeling.

Experience or familiarity with emerging technologies, including computer vision, machine learning and/or optical character recognition.

Experience or familiarity with DevSecOps framework.

Experience or familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.

Experience with Git or other version control systems.

Experience working in aerospace or another highly regulated engineering environment.

Experience working in a configuration‑controlled environment, including problem reports and change requests.

Ability to work within Eastern Time Zone core and global teams, including India Standard Time.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Experience developing automation with scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell) and thoroughly test implementations.

Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to work through complex technical issues.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to work with internal teams, external suppliers and stakeholders.

Practical project management capability, including the ability to manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders and the definition of common technical processes.

Ability to collaborate across teams.

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