Senior Systems Engineer - Secure Systems (Active Clearance)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance and disability coverage

Child and elder care services

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The role requires designing secure military communication solutions while collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. Candidates should hold a STEM degree with relevant experience and possess an active U.S. security clearance. The position provides lucrative benefits, including medical insurance and a generous 401(k) plan. Salary ranges from $86,800 to $165,200 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience, or 3+ years with an advanced degree.
• Active Secret U.S. government security clearance required.
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop secure military communication solutions.
• Conduct functional analysis, trade studies, and define specifications.
• Perform analysis and design at all product levels.
• Execute technical planning and system integration.

Skills

Technical leadership

Exceptional communication skills

Experience with cryptographic hardware

Familiarity with Scaled Agile framework

Proficiency in Rust and Python

Model Based Systems Engineering

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Location

Onsite position in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Address: 855 35Th St NE, BLDG 137).

Security Clearance

DoD Secret clearance required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship and an active, transferable clear­ance are mandatory.

Job Overview

The Senior Systems Engineer will design and develop secure military communication solutions, interfacing with multi‑disciplinary teams to meet domestic and international customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture, and design at all product levels, including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
• Conduct functional analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation, and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Analyze decomposition of customer specifications and system‑level requirements into sub‑system and component requirements; develop verification criteria and plans.
• Execute technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, supportability and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.
• Perform daily tasks in a classified and controlled laboratory environment.
• Travel up to 10%.

What You Will Learn

• Gain technical leadership experience, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to influential individuals within Mission Systems.
• Work with subject‑matter experts, security and crypto certification specialists, customers, and cross‑functional integrated product teams.
• Build knowledge in security‑hardened products across an evolving field.

Qualifications

• Typical requirement: STEM degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience, or an advanced degree with a minimum of 3 years experience.
• Active, transferable Secret U.S. government‑issued security clearance required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship required; only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the Scaled Agile framework.
• Exceptional communication skills and experience presenting technical data to program management and executive leadership.
• Experience with cryptographic hardware architecture/design, network encryption specifications, and test methodologies.
• Proficiency with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO (or similar) and programming languages such as Rust and Python.
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching and a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Student loan repayment program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages (pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection).
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits, and fertility support.
• Employee assistance plan with up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You incentives and wellness rewards.
• Virtual doctor visits via Doctor on Demand.
• Child and elder care services (Bright Horizons).
• Second opinion program via Teladoc Medical Experts.
• Relocation assistance available.
• And more.

Salary

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

EEO Statement

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.