Systems Engineer – Communications & Interface Integration (Hybrid)

Collins Aerospace; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation for newly hire

Generous 401(k) plan with matching and

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Parental leave benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a technical leader to guide next‑generation aerospace communication interfaces and data bus architectures. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, shape strategy, build roadmaps, and drive program execution in close partnership with engineering leadership.

You will coach engineers, estimate scope, plan schedules, and drive Agile execution across hardware, software, and test domains, while advancing ICDs, DOORS, Synergy, and modern tooling.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 5+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 3+ years of experience.
• Experience with aerospace communication standards (ARINC 664/AFDX, ARINC 429, ARINC 825/CAN, MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC 629).
• Experience in designing or verifying Ethernet or CAN communication hardware.
• Ability to create technology roadmaps and multi-year plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction across systems, hardware, software, and test engineering.
• Own interface I/O and communications architecture strategy.
• Decompose system requirements into actionable hardware, software, and test requirements.
• Lead Agile-based planning, sprint execution, and cross-team coordination.
• Develop and manage budgets, earned value, and resource allocation.
• Create and maintain multi-year roadmaps for data bus strategies and tooling.

Skills

Agile execution

Leadership

Systems thinking

Mentoring

Requirements analysis

Project estimation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

DOORS

Synergy

JIRA

Python

XML

DXL

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IL-ROCKFORD-P6 ~ 4747 Harrison Ave ~ 4747 HARRISON AVE-P6

Position Role Type: Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access certain necessary systems.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

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

Qualification 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

• 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!

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.

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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.