Systems Engineer – Communications & Interface Integration (Hybrid)

Collins Aerospace; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Three weeks of vacation

Tuition reimbursement program

Life insurance and disability coverage

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Rockford, Illinois, seeks a future technical leader for its Electric Power Systems group. The role involves overseeing aerospace communication interfaces, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving program execution. Candidates should possess a STEM degree and at least five years of experience in project estimation and Agile execution. Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k) matching, and generous vacation time. Enjoy a hybrid work environment while contributing to aerospace innovation.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in STEM and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience.
• Electrical engineering background preferred with aerospace communication standards experience.
• Experience designing and analyzing communication hardware.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction across systems and engineering.
• Own and influence interface I/O and communications architecture strategy.
• Develop, monitor, and manage budgets for interface development efforts.

Skills

Project estimation

Agile execution

Technical leadership

Budget management

Systems thinking

Education

Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)

Tools

DOORS

JIRA

Python

Job description

Overview

The Electric Power Systems group is seeking a future technical leader to guide the development of next-generation aerospace communication interfaces and serial data bus architectures. This role extends beyond individual engineering contributions; it is intended for someone who can lead multidisciplinary teams, shape technical strategy, build development roadmaps, and drive program execution in close partnership with engineering leadership.

If you have experience estimating project scope, planning schedules, driving AGILE execution, managing budgets, coaching engineers, and developing multi-year improvement plans, this team is looking for someone exactly like you.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical direction across systems, hardware, software, and test engineering to architect robust communication and interface solutions for power distribution systems.
• Own the interface I/O and communications architecture strategy, influencing design decisions and shaping long-term communication approaches across platforms.
• Decompose system-level requirements into actionable hardware, software, and test requirements to ensure alignment and efficiency.
• Perform project estimation, defining scope, staffing needs, cost drivers, and schedule impacts for interface development tasks.
• Lead Agile-based planning, sprint execution, backlog refinement, and cross-team coordination.
• Track progress, risks, and dependencies across engineering teams, ensuring milestones are met and communicated effectively.
• Develop, monitor, and manage budgets, earned value, and resource allocation for interface development efforts.
• Create and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps for data bus strategies, interface architectures, tool improvements, automation, and test capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to mature communication technologies, improve development efficiency, and streamline integration workflows.
• Drive innovation in data bus technologies (ARINC, CAN, 1553, AFDX, Ethernet), modeling tools, and verification methods.
• Mentor junior engineers in requirements development, debugging, lab practices, and systems thinking.
• Contribute to performance feedback, skill development planning, and technical career growth for the team.
• Lead technical design reviews, champion good engineering discipline, and maintain a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Develop interface verification strategies, simulation approaches, and system-level test plans.
• Lead hands-on integration efforts in system labs, ensuring proper electrical behavior, data bus communication, and system interoperability.
• Direct root-cause investigations, troubleshooting activities, and corrective-action implementation.
• Oversee creation and maintenance of ICDs, I/O signal definitions, and data path documentation using modern web-based tools.
• Ensure traceability and configuration control across DOORS, Synergy, and Agile artifacts.
• Present schedule updates, risk assessments, architectural decisions, and integration results to leadership and external stakeholders.

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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Electrical engineering background with hands-on experience in aerospace communication standards (ARINC 664/AFDX, ARINC 429, ARINC 825/CAN, MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC 629).
• Experience designing, analyzing, or verifying Ethernet or CAN communication hardware.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, transmission line theory, and lab-based debugging tools (oscilloscope, TDR).
• Experience with project estimation, schedule and resource planning, Agile execution (Scrum, SAFe), and budget tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to create technology roadmaps, perform multi-year planning, and coordinate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with DOORS, Synergy, JIRA, and modern version control practices.
• Experience using Python, VBA, XML, or DXL for automation and data transformation.
• Familiarity with aviation data bus design assurance standards such as CRI-F66, CRI-F30, CM E-09, and AC 20-156.

Benefits

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
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

We make modern flight possible for millions of travelers and our military every second. Our major product lines are on-board virtually every aircraft flying. Be it keeping passengers safe with our emergency power generation systems or creating a positive in flight experience through reliable cabin pressure controls and quieter engines, Power & Controls focuses on delivering a best-in-class experience to our customers. We hire the top people in the industry. Their ideas drive our performance, and their integrity keeps our customers happy. Join us as we take flight!

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

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. Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

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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