Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Avionics Network Architect (Hybrid)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) plan with employer matching

Job summary

RTX, in collaboration with Collins Aerospace, is seeking a Sr Principal Systems Engineer to architect a next‑generation avionics networking family. You will define deterministic Ethernet switch architectures, address latency, jitter, and throughput, and drive hardware‑software partitioning across teams.

You will integrate ARINC 664 Part 7/AFDX with TSN, perform end‑to‑end analyses, and mentor cross‑functional engineers to deliver scalable, safe networking solutions for future aircraft.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree.

Responsibilities

• Architect the next generation of avionics networking products and define the roadmap.

Skills

Avionics networking

Deterministic networking

Ethernet switching

QoS

VLANs

Traffic shaping

Network performance analysis

System architecture

Embedded HW/SW integration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

ARINC 664 Part 7 / AFDX

IEEE 802.1 TSN

Wireshark

Network simulators

Job description

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.

Architect the Next Generation of Avionics Networking

The Computing Products Department (CPD) at Collins Aerospace is building a next‑generation family of safety‑critical avionics Ethernet switches—and we’re looking for a Sr Principal Systems Engineer who wants to shape the networking architecture that future aircraft will rely on for decades. This role sits at the center of systems architecture, embedded networking, silicon strategy, firmware, software, safety, and cybersecurity. If you want to help define what comes after today’s AFDX‑based networks, this is the opportunity.

What You Will Do

Architect the Next Generation of Avionics Networking Products You will lead the architecture for a scalable family of deterministic avionics Ethernet switches—defining the technical roadmap, reusable building blocks, interfaces, configuration strategy, and engineering principles guiding multiple future platforms. You’ll drive architectural decisions across: Port count, topology, bandwidth, latency, jitter, buffering Redundancy and availability strategies Switch silicon, processors, memory, PHY/SerDes technologies Copper/fiber interfaces, packaging, power, and thermal constraints Hardware/software/firmware partitioning and growth paths Lead the Evolution from AFDX to Deterministic Ethernet & TSN You will define architectures that integrate today’s ARINC 664 Part 7 / AFDX with emerging deterministic Ethernet technologies such as TSN, IEEE 802.1DP/SAE AS6675, advanced time synchronization, QoS, mixed‑criticality traffic, and network health monitoring. Engineer Deterministic Performance You will lead analyses to prove the architecture delivers deterministic performance: End‑to‑end latency, worst‑case timing, traffic flow Buffer/queue behaviors, packet loss, burst analysis Multicast load, congestion behavior Failure detection, network recovery timing Synchronization accuracy, scalability, capacity Technical Leadership Across Disciplines This role requires coordinating hardware, software, firmware, systems, test, safety, and cybersecurity engineering—guiding how all disciplines contribute to one coherent networking architecture. You will mentor networking engineers, shape design patterns, lead major reviews, and engage across customer, supplier, and cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications – You Must Have

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field The strongest candidates will have significant experience in several of the following areas: Avionics network architecture and deterministic networking Ethernet switching, bridging, Layer 2/3, IP networking VLANs, QoS, priority management, multicast Traffic policing/shaping, redundancy, sync Switch/router/NIC/gateway configuration Network performance analysis, packet capture, troubleshooting Network simulation and automated testing Embedded HW/SW integration Requirements development, system architecture, interface definition Integration, verification & validation, trade studies, root‑cause analysis

Qualifications – We Prefer

Particularly relevant experience includes: ARINC 664 Part 7 / AFDX IEEE 802.1 TSN, aerospace TSN (IEEE 802.1DP / SAE AS6675) Precision time synchronization Fault‑tolerant Ethernet, mixed‑criticality networking Gigabit/multi‑Gigabit embedded Ethernet Network switch ASICs, network processors, FPGA packet processing PHY/SerDes architecture Network configuration/management architectures Network telemetry, diagnostics, Wireshark Traffic‑generation and performance‑test equipment Hardware‑in‑the‑loop and systems integration labs DO‑178C, DO‑254/AC 20‑152A, ARP4754A/B, DO‑326A Reusable safety‑critical platform development

What We Offer Benefits

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 illnessinsurance, 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!

Salary Range

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. 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.

Eligibility and Requirements

Role Type: Hybrid U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62 Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.