Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Comms (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation and time off

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead NC3 programs from Richardson, TX (or Cedar Rapids, IA). You will drive SysML-based modeling and system architecture across the full lifecycle, acting as a design authority and proven leader for a complex communications-based system of systems.

The role requires a transferable Secret clearance (Top Secret future), strong proposal skills, and collaboration with program management, engineering, and customers.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and 10+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 7+ years.
• Active, transferable Secret U.S. government security clearance required prior to start with ability to obtain Top Secret after start.
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance eligibility.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring of systems engineering teams.
• Experience with RF equipment, link budget analysis, and waveform integration.
• MBSE and SysML modeling across full engineering lifecycle.
• Experience with MBSE tools: MBSE concepts and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical proposal preparation and act as SME in reviews.
• Manage technical risks and mitigation plans for NC3 systems.
• Advise on technology investments to improve project quality and outcomes.
• Lead bids and proposals across ISSE programs.
• Develop and maintain SysML models for lifecycle activities.
• Serve as design authority for NC3 ISSE systems.
• Coordinate roadmaps across ISSE projects and stakeholders.

Skills

SysML modeling

MBSE concepts

System architecture

RF systems

Proposal experience

Leadership

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Magic Draw/CAMEO

Rhapsody

Enterprise Architect

Job description

Date Posted

2026-08-05

Country

United States of America

Location

US-TX-RICHARDSON-462 ~ 3200 E Renner Rd ~ RENNER BLDG 462

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

About the Role

At Collins Aerospace, we don’t just build systems; we build the future. As a Senior Principal Systems Engineer, you’ll support programs involved in modernizing the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) capabilities. Based in Richardson, TX or Cedar Rapids, IA, you’ll be immersed in innovation while leading as a Comms subject matter expert (SME) in the systems engineering lifecycle. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on innovation, and aspire to grow, this role is your next step.

What YOU will do:

• Lead technical proposal preparation and serve as a subject matter expert in non-advocate, internal, and customer reviews
• Ensure the development and management of technical risks and develops and executes mitigation plans
• Recommend investments or changes in technology, resources, procedures, equipment, systems, or other assets to improve the quality of the organization's projects.
• Participate and lead bids and proposals
• Apply SysML concepts for System Modeling across a full engineering lifecycle.
• Serve as design authority for our Integrated Strategic Solutions Engineering (ISSE) NC3 systems.
• Contribute as a subject matter expert to the design and architecture of a complex communications-based system of systems
• Lead development and communication of roadmaps for ISSE projects, associated technologies, and product lines
• Advise engineering managers, program managers, business development managers, product line managers, and component architects
• Establish trusted and influential relationships with customers and suppliers
• Serve as the primary technology and systems engineering focal point for leadership and the customer for ISSE mission equipment packages/solutions
• Coordinate across strategic business units for alignment of portfolio roadmaps
• Monitor cost and schedule and reporting project status to program management and engineering leadership
• Work and communicate effectively with all levels of management, individual contributors on the program team, and external stakeholders

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 and minimum 7 years of experience
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain Top Secret after start.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• Leadership and mentoring experience systems engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience with RF equipment and applications including link budget analysis, co-site analysis, government and commercial data waveforms, and user/mission system integration
• Prior experience with VLF, LF, HF, V/UHF, and Milsatcom
• Embedded development including interface definition, requirements, and use case development
• Experience with system architecture development, and systems, software, and hardware engineering.
• Experience with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools - Build advanced SysML models for activities, states, block diagrams, and use cases.
• Experience with proposal preparation and serve as a subject matter expert in non-advocate, internal, and customer reviews

Qualifications we prefer:

• Experience with aircraft level system integration
• Development of integration and test plans, test cases, and procedures
• Development and execution of product and system level tests to include experience with automation test tools or scripting
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools such as Magic Draw CAMEO, Rhapsody, or Enterprise Architect
• Experience with regulatory and certification requirements: TSO, DO-160, DO-254, DO-178B/C, and ARP 4754
• Experience working in an Agile development environment, being part of a highly integrated team working closely with SW, Integration and Verification teams
• Experience with virtualization technologies
• Knowledge of MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC 661 standard and bus protocols
• Experience with TCP/IP network applications development
• Experience on an NC3 program

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 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
• May be eligible for relocation
• And more!

#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 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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