Sr. Mgr, Systems Security Engineering (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) with match

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Senior Systems Security Engineering Manager to lead a security engineering team focused on DoD programs and international customers. The role emphasizes lifecycle cybersecurity, vulnerability analysis, and documentation to achieve critical certifications.

Ideal candidates will manage a small team, provide technical leadership across RMF, IA, and cyber architecture, and support ATO processes while traveling up to 25% and relocating assistance may

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years experience or advanced degree with minimum 7 years experience.
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance eligibility.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret clearance required before start.
• DoDI 8570.01-M IAT Level-II compliant certification (e.g., Security+, CISSP).
• Experience with security features and vulnerability analysis of operating systems as defined by intelligence agencies.
• Experience in Systems Engineering requirements, DoD/Federal IA certification and RMF NIST 800-37.
• Experience reviewing DoD contracts and bids with Basis of Estimates (BOEs).
• Experience in Earned Value Management or as CAM managing WBS, budgets and schedules.
• Experience in management or technical lead roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of system security engineers and manage programmatic milestones.
• Implement security improvements by assessing current posture and recommending architecture changes.
• Develop cybersecurity requirements, design artifacts, plans and RMF documentation.
• Define security development and testing for networks, databases, and operating systems.
• Support RMF controls validation testing and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
• Conduct cybersecurity audits to ensure compliance with security posture.
• Report to the Department Manager on contract health and milestones.
• Travel up to 25%.

Skills

Security clearance

IAT Level-II

RMF/NIST RMF

Leadership

Vulnerability analysis

Contract review

Earned Value Management

Technical lead

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Nessus

Retina

SCAP

SIEM

MFA

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

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.

Our nation's security depends on the sacrifice of the men and women who defend our country. For them to do this effectively, they need technology that keeps them a step ahead of their adversaries. This means providing high‑capability, reliable equipment to our service personnel, fielded as quickly as possible. Our commitment is to do exactly that.

The Product Cybersecurity Organization (PCO) is hiring a Senior Systems Security Engineering Manager to support programs for our US military and various international customers, keeping the world safe from foreign threats. Join our highly visible team and perform technically challenging assignments, which will closely contribute to protecting our nation and our products. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in managing and executing cybersecurity efforts across the system development lifecycle. You will be responsible for a small team of system security engineers as well as being a technical lead performing systems security taskings to include (and not limited to) vulnerability analysis, requirements assessment, and developing documentation to achieve critical certification and approvals.

As a member of the PCO DoD/W Central team, we want you to develop solutions to secure Warfighter’s technology advantage. Systems Security Engineering creates security solutions leveraging multiple disciplines like Anti-Tamper (AT), Software Assurance, Hardware Assurance, Cryptography, NSA Type 1 Certification, Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) to support Program Protection Implementation on various systems.

This role will be worked onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA and requires an active and transferable SECRET security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance after start. Relocation assistance is available.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team of system security engineers, providing deep technical mentorships to the team while managing the programmatic side to keep projects on track
• Implement security improvements by assessing current situation; evaluating trends; developing security architecture, providing recommendations to program security engineers, and anticipating requirements
• Support the development of cybersecurity requirements, design and architecture artifacts, plans, and policies
• Define security development and test efforts implementation of security controls of networking devices, databases, operating systems, and hardware and software components
• Support the development of RMF documents and controls validation testing for Authority to Operate (ATO) accreditations
• Conduct cybersecurity audits to ensure appropriate implementation and compliance with the security posture
• Report directly to the Department Manager for DoD/W Central, acting as a strategic advisor to keep leadership informed on contract health, technical milestones, and evolving mission needs
• Travel <25%

What You Will Learn

• You will learn to be a more effective Systems Security Engineer and leader by gaining niche skills enabling you to be unique in all you do
• You will gain valuable experience and an opportunity to growth as a Tech Fellow, Chief Security Engineer, or Associate Director

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum10 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 clearance is required prior to start
• DoDI 8570.01-M IAT Level-II Compliant Certification (e.g., Security+, CISSP, or equivalent)
• Experience with security features and/or vulnerability analysis of various operating systems as defined by Intelligence agencies
• Experience in Systems Engineering requirements, specifications, and end experience implementing DoD and Federal IA certification and accreditation processes, IA controls and developing and maintaining associated documentation and experience with NIST Risk management framework (RMF), as described in NIST Special Publication 800-37
• Experience reviewing and crafting U.S. government contract proposals and bids, including the development of detailed Basis of Estimates (BOEs)
• Experience in Earned Value Management (EVM) or acting as a Control Account Manager (CAM) to manage program technical work packages, budgets, and schedules
• Experience in management or technical lead role

Qualifications We Prefer

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued DoD TOP SECRET security clearance
• Experience with NSA Type 1 Certification process and requirements for high-assurance products
• Experience with Program Protection Plan (PPP) DoDI 5000.02 and DoDI 5200.39
• Experience with IT and/or network and system security administration, including operating system security configuration and account administration best practices for UNIX, MS Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and CISCO Systems
• Experience with usage of information security toolsets including anti-virus, Vulnerability Assessment, HIDS/ NIDS. host-based or endpoint security solutions, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) and centralized auditing resources
• Experience with IAvulnerability testing and related network and system test resources, e.g., Retina, Nmap, Nessus, Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP)

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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
• Carrot 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!

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.

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

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.

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.

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