Senior Systems Engineer - HW/SW Integration (ONSITE)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 86,800 - 165,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Generous 401(k) with matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support development and sustainment of avionics communication products. The role emphasizes system-level requirements, integration, verification, and hands-on software-hardware testing in a lab environment.

The ideal candidate will have a STEM degree with 5+ years of experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams across disciplines and locations.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree and 5+ years of relevant experience (or advanced degree with 3+ years).
• Experience with system-level requirements decomposition and analysis, design, and verification.
• Experience integrating software/applications or system software onto target hardware.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting system integration tests in lab or hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Experience debugging across hardware, software, firmware, and interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Develop product-level requirements from customer specifications and decompose for software and hardware.
• Perform trade studies to optimize technical solutions and requirements.
• Define integration/verification strategies for avionic functions; create and execute test plans and reports.
• Carry out hands-on integration of software, embedded software, and hardware in lab environments.
• Execute software integration testing on engineering units and flight-like hardware.
• Troubleshoot and debug issues across hardware, software, firmware, OS, drivers, and interfaces.
• Use lab tools to support verification, failure investigation, and root-cause analysis.
• Analyze data and develop solutions to optimize development performance.

Skills

Systems engineering

Hardware integration

Embedded software

Lab testing

Root cause analysis

MBSE

Networking (avionics)

Agile & Waterfall

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Wireshark

Jira

DOORS

Jama

Git

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

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. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Collins Aerospace is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to support the development and sustainment of communication products. The engineer will demonstrate a high level of professional competence and knowledge of the principles and techniques commonly used in systems development, integration, verification, and qualification related to avionics. The selected candidate will perform assignments requiring the use and application of systems engineering principles and techniques for the integration of hardware and software. This role will require hands‑on software integration testing on target hardware, troubleshooting across hardware/software interfaces, and supporting both development and fielded product sustainment. This engineer must also have strong design, analytical, and problem‑solving skills for both hardware and software.

What you will do:

• Develop product-level requirements from customer and industry specifications. Further decompose requirements to support both software and hardware development.
• Perform trade studies to support and optimize the technical solution and requirements.
• Define integration and verification strategies for avionic functions and products, create test plans, test cases and procedures, execute system verification, and create test reports.
• Perform hands‑on integration of software applications, embedded software, system software, and hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Execute software integration testing on engineering development units, flight‑like hardware, production hardware, and/or hardware‑in‑the‑loop test benches.
• Troubleshoot and debug integration issues across hardware, software, firmware, operating systems, drivers, and external interfaces.
• Use lab equipment and engineering tools to support integration, verification, failure investigation, and root‑cause analysis.
• Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding to optimize performance and increase efficiencies in development activities.
• Communicate effectively to a host of stakeholders across the technical spectrum, including customers, program management, senior leadership, and functional teams.
• Provide technical support for fielded avionics systems through troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, engineering changes, and lifecycle sustainment activities.

Qualifications you must have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
• Experience with system‑level requirements decomposition and analysis, system design and allocation to subsystems/products, system integration planning and execution, and system‑level verification and validation.
• Experience integrating software applications, embedded software, or system software onto target hardware platforms.
• Experience developing, executing, and troubleshooting system integration test procedures in a lab or hardware‑in‑the‑loop environment.
• Experience debugging integration issues across hardware, software, firmware, operating systems, drivers, and external interfaces.
• Experience supporting root‑cause analysis, failure investigation, defect resolution, and verification closure for complex electronic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret system architecture diagrams, electrical schematics, interface control documents, software requirements, and test documentation.
• Experience documenting technical findings, test results, problem reports, and engineering recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to isolate issues in complex hardware/software systems.

Qualifications we prefer:

• Working knowledge of common communication interfaces and protocols for avionics/data interfaces.
• Experience with avionics communication systems, aircraft data networks, airborne routers, data loaders, wireless systems, or connected aircraft products.
• Working knowledge of avionics regulations and certification standards including TSO, PMA, STC, DO-160, DO-254, DO-356 and DO-178B/C.
• Experience with hardware/software integration on embedded Linux, Windows, real‑time operating systems, or other embedded computing platforms.
• Experience with scripting or automation tools to support test execution, data collection, and analysis such as Python, Robot Framework, etc.
• Experience with networking concepts including TCP/IP, UDP, VLANs, routing, switching, packet capture, Wi‑Fi, cellular, or SATCOM‑related interfaces.
• Experience using tools such as Wireshark, Jira, DOORS, Jama, Cameo, Git, Bitbucket, Jenkins, or similar engineering development tools.
• Experience using test equipment and lab tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, power supplies, network analyzers, or similar equipment to support hardware/software troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting formal qualification, certification, or production transition activities for aerospace or other regulated products.
• Experience performing integration testing using engineering development units, flight‑like hardware, production hardware, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop test benches.
• Experience troubleshooting board‑level or system‑level issues involving power, boot‑up, interfaces, timing, thermal behavior, signal integrity, or environmental performance.
• Experience coordinating with software, hardware, systems, test, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and program teams to resolve technical issues.
• Experience supporting fielded product investigations, customer‑reported issues, engineering change proposals, and sustainment of released products.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams using both Agile and waterfall development methods.
• Exhibiting strong team skills working with both domestic and international team members.
• Effective time management and ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering, MBSE, tools.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, secure boot, software loading, configuration management, or data integrity considerations for connected avionics products.
• Familiarity with aircraft installation, aircraft interfaces, airline operations, or avionics maintenance concepts.

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
• And more!

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 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.

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.