Senior Principal Systems Engineering Lead, MBSE

Prattwhitney; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vacation time

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Senior Principal Systems Engineer, MBSE, to lead complex military communications systems on the E-4 platform. This on-site role in Sterling, VA requires an active Secret clearance and collaboration with distributed teams to design, test, and deliver MBSE-driven architectures.

You will mentor engineers, manage technical risks, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to meet mission objectives. A STEM degree with extensive experience is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Subject Matter Expert in SysML within an MBSE framework.
• Experience leading a systems or software engineering team.
• STEM degree with 10+ years of experience or advanced degree with 7+ years of experience.
• U.S. citizenship and active Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Systems Engineering Technical Lead for a simulation team and align efforts across engineering teams.
• Build a System-of-Systems architecture using SysML within an MBSE framework.
• Coordinate with Software, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineers to mature design at multiple levels.
• Prepare and present technical briefs to stakeholders and leadership.
• Mentor and develop Systems Engineering talent across all levels.

Skills

SysML MBSE

Team leadership

Agile development

Stakeholder management

Risk & opportunities

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CORESIM

Modeling tools

Earned Value tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-17 Country: United States of America Location: US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS 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 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. Join Collins Aerospace and help shape the future of Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3), supporting the recapitalization of the U.S. Air Force E-4B fleet with next-generation capabilities. As a Senior Principal Systems Engineer, MBSE you will lead complex military communications systems on the E-4 platform and collaborate with geographically distributed, multidisciplinary teams. This position is onsite in Sterling, VA and requires an active/current US Secret security clearance.

What YOU will do:

Serve as Systems Engineering Technical Lead for a simulation team, aligning efforts across engineering teams to ensure completion of capabilities within the project lifecycle. Provide the technical execution leadership required to design, develop, integrate, test, verify, qualify, and deliver a system that complies with technical and performance requirements. Oversee day-to-day execution of requirements & design maturation efforts for a Mission Crew Training Device through its major engineering design milestones. Build a System-of-Systems architecture using SysML within a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) framework. Contribute to the design and development of a Systems/Software architecture for an aircraft Simulator Training System. Coordinate with Software, Electrical, & Mechanical Engineers to arrange, define, and update design at various levels of detail. Work in an Agile program environment, supporting planning, backlog management, technical execution, and coordination across Agile teams. Identify and manage technical risks, opportunities and dependencies and ensure seamless program execution. Support risk and opportunity management, schedule adherence, and cost control to meet program deliverables and financial objectives. Report execution metrics to program and functional leadership, providing visibility into program performance and potential impacts. Collaborate with customer representatives and internal and external stakeholders to define scope, establish technical priorities, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with program objectives and customer expectations. Prepare and present technical briefs, program status, risks and opportunities, recommendations, and technical decisions to internal and external stakeholders, including customers and program leadership. Collaborate with program leadership, engineering leadership, functional leadership, and key stakeholders to resolve technical challenges, establish priorities, and drive engineering execution. Lead, mentor, and develop Systems Engineering talent at all levels through technical coaching, knowledge transfer, collaboration, and hands on guidance, fostering technical growth and preparing engineers for increased levels of responsibility.

Qualifications You Must Have:

Experience as a Subject Matter Expert in SysML (Systems Modelling Language) within an MBSE framework. Experience in leading a systems or software engineering team. 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. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience in leading a team on a large DoD program.
• Experience with Simulation & Training engineering.
• Familiarity with engineering processes ranging from Software, Hardware, and Mechanical domains.
• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum, SAFe), including backlog management, Agile metrics, and Scrum ceremonies.
• Experience utilizing and communicating programmatic Earned Value (EV) and experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM).
• Familiarity with Radio Frequency (RF) Communications concepts.
• Familiarity with CORE Simulation (CORESIM) Architecture.
• Familiarity with deployment/configuration/support of CI/CD pipelines.

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
• 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
• Relocation assistance may be provided
• And more!

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.

* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role. Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. 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.

#MISENG

The salary range for this role is 145,600 USD - 276,800 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.

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.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.