Senior Systems Engineer - Defense Training Systems (Secret)

Collins Aerospace; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation for new hires

Generous 401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and sustain advanced training systems for a military platform at the Sterling, VA site. The role requires a DoD Secret clearance Day 1 and an active citizenship.

Onsite work is expected with opportunities for growth in MBSE and cross‑disciplinary collaboration. You will lead full lifecycle engineering, coordinate with software, hardware, and simulation teams, and mentor junior engineers while contributing to

Qualifications

• Experience with avionics, radar systems, or AEW&C platforms.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle processes.
• Ability to work in a classified environment and obtain/maintain required security clearance.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Typically requires a university degree or equivalent experience with 5+ years.
• Active and transferable DoD Secret clearance required before start date.
• U.S. Citizen — citizenship required for access to program information.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering across full lifecycle of training systems.
• Develop and manage system requirements, interface control documents, and verification plans.
• Ensure training systems accurately represent aircraft mission systems.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and simulation engineers to integrate subsystems.
• Support MBSE activities and maintain system architecture artifacts.
• Conduct system-level testing, validation, and verification.
• Interface with customers, program managers, and external stakeholders.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support upgrades, modifications, and obsolescence management.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to process improvements.

Skills

Avionics

Radar systems

AEW&C platforms

Systems engineering lifecycle

Security clearance

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

DoD/defense domain

Education

University degree in Engineering

Advanced degree in relevant field

Tools

Cameo

DOORS

Job description

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and sustain advanced training systems for a military platform at the Sterling, VA site. The role requires a DoD Secret clearance Day 1 and an active citizenship.

Onsite work is expected with opportunities for growth in MBSE and cross‑disciplinary collaboration. You will lead full lifecycle engineering, coordinate with software, hardware, and simulation teams, and mentor junior engineers while contributing to