Sr. Systems Security Engineer (Onsite - Sterling, VA)

Collins Aerospace; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Systems Security Engineer to strengthen DoD RMF compliance and secure enterprise environments in Sterling, VA. The role demands hands-on work across Windows and Linux, network architecture, and security control implementation to support mission-critical systems.

The position requires an active SECRET clearance and onsite work in Sterling, VA. You will collaborate with ISSM and engineering teams to design, implement, and validate secure infrastructure, with a strong

Qualifications

• STEM degree and 5+ years experience, or advanced degree with 3+ years.
• Active and transferable US government Secret clearance required.
• RMF experience required.
• Experience with Linux or Windows environments.
• Experience with AD, VMware, administration, SIEM tools like Splunk or Kiwi.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain secure DoD RMF compliant system architectures.
• Engineer, deploy, and harden enterprise networks for high security and resilience.
• Configure Windows and Linux environments using baselines and automation.
• Create and secure IaC artifacts (Ansible, VMware templates) for repeatable provisioning.
• Design Ansible workflows to enforce configuration compliance and patching.
• Support RMF accreditation activities with the Government ISSM.
• Install and troubleshoot enterprise firewalls, routers, and switches.
• Conduct vulnerability analysis and security validation for compliance.

Skills

RMF experience

Linux experience

Windows experience

Active Directory

VMware

SIEM tools (Splunk)

Tenable

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree (related field)

Tools

Ansible

VMware vCenter

vSphere

ESX

Trellix Endpoint Security

Job description

Location

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

Date Posted

2026-09-14

Country

United States of America

Location

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

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.

Collins Aerospace is seeking a highly skilled Systems Security Engineer to strengthen and secure enterprise environments supporting Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance, secure network architecture, operating system administration, and cybersecurity best practices. This role requires hands‐on proficiency across Windows and Linux platforms, network infrastructure, and security control implementation, along with the ability to support accreditation activities and sustain mission‑critical systems. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, securing, and optimizing infrastructure to ensure operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and performance excellence within a high‑security environment.

This role will be worked onsite in Sterling, VA and requires an active and transferrable SECRET clearance. Relocation assistance is not available.

What You Will Do

• Develop, implement, and maintain secure system architectures and technical solutions that meet all DoD RMF requirements, with a focus on risk reduction, automation, and control effectiveness
• Engineer, deploy, and harden enterprise network and system solutions to ensure high security, resilience, scalability, and performance across legacy and emerging infrastructures
• Configure, secure, and maintain Windows and Linux environments using industry best practices, approved security baselines, and automated configuration management tools
• Create, manage, and secure Infrastructure as Code (IaC) artifacts—such as Ansible and VMWare templates—to enable repeatable, auditable, and secure system provisioning
• Design and optimize Ansible automation workflows to enforce configuration compliance, patch management, and secure baseline deployment across multi‑platform systems
• Support RMF accreditation activities in collaboration with the Government ISSM, including documentation development, control implementation, assessment coordination, and continuous monitoring
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot enterprise firewalls, routers, and switches to maintain secure network segmentation, traffic integrity, and a robust defensive security posture
• Conduct structured hardware and software testing, vulnerability analysis, and security validation to ensure secure, reliable system functionality and compliance with security standards

Qualifications You Must Have

• 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
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date
• RMF experience
• Linux or Windows experience
• Experience with Active Directory, VMware, Administration, SIEM Tools (Splunk or Kiwi), backup and recovery software, Trellix Endpoint Security and Tenable

Qualifications We Prefer

• Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification requirements (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification and an Operating System Certification)
• Experience with NISPOM, JAFAN, JSIG, DFARS and/or DoD/RMF
• Experience with data storage, NAS, and SAN technologies and solutions
• Experience using VMWare vCenter, vSphere, and ESX and/or other virtual computing methods
• Experience supporting engineers in software, simulations, and hardware development
• Experience with Microsoft WSUS
• Exchange scripting experience

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
• 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!

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 95,500 USD - 181,700 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 on 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.