Senior Systems Engineer - Secure TacCom

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vacation 3 weeks

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance and disability

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer for the Secure Subsystems team in Cedar Rapids, IA. You will analyze, architect, and design complex cross-domain solutions, translating customer requirements into hardware and software specifications in a classified lab.

The role requires MBSE expertise, active SECRET clearance, and a STEM degree with several years of experience.

Qualifications

• MBSE experience and knowledge of MBSE tools.
• Active SECRET clearance is required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.
• Typically requires a STEM degree and minimum 5 years of experience or an Advanced Degree with minimum 3 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture and design across the full system lifecycle.
• Translate customer requirements into hardware/software specs and interfaces.
• Develop verification criteria and plans for sub-systems and components.
• Conduct system integration, verification/validation and supportability analyses.
• Work in a classified lab environment on daily tasks.

Skills

MBSE concepts

Strong communication

Scaled Agile

Cryptographic hardware

Network encryption

Rust

Python

MBSE tools

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-20 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137 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

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Secure Subsystems Engineering team seeks a Senior Principal Systems Engineer.

The Secure Subsystems Department is responsible for the design, test, and certification of cross-domain technologies and cryptographic products that equip our warfighters to thrive in today’s multi-domain battlespace. Our department collaborates with portfolio teams across the organization to help capture new business and create security-hardened solutions that address our customers’ demanding needs.

What You Will Do

• Perform analysis, architecture and design at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Perform functional analysis's, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Provide analyses for the decomposition of customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements, and develops verification criteria and plans for the requirements.
• Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.
• Perform daily tasks in a classified and controlled lab environment.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools
• Active and transferable SECRET clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• 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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Familiarity with the Scaled Agile framework
• Exceptionally strong communication skills, experience presenting technical data to program management and executive leadership
• Experienced with Cryptographic Hardware architecture/design, Network Encryption specifications and test methodologies
• Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO or similar, Software Languages such as Rust and Python
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering
• Experience with Hardware and Software Integration, Validation & Verification Testing, and Qualification Testing

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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance

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 customers succeed today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow.

Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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.

Employee Referral Eligible Collins Aerospace MiS #MISENG

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

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. 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.

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.