Systems Engineer (ONSITE)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with matching and retirement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA, is seeking a Systems Engineer to join our hands-on lab‑based team. You will contribute to datalink/communications, GPS sensor systems, and navigation algorithms across the engineering development lifecycle, working closely with government customers and certifying agencies.

The role emphasizes on-site work with a lab‑heavy focus, collaboration across disciplines, and the potential for travel up to 10% to support the SDA T2 Beta program.

Qualifications

• Familiar with systems development lifecycle including requirements capture, design, integration and verification/validation.
• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 2 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance are required.

Responsibilities

• Drive test efforts in support of the SDA T2 Beta.
• Develop and execute test procedures with extensive system-level lab testing.
• Collaborate with team members to learn best practices and troubleshoot problems.
• Communicate with Government customers and the certifying agency.
• Travel up to 10%.

Skills

Systems development process

Requirements capture

Design

Verification/Validation

Lab testing

Team collaboration

Communication with government

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced Degree in related field

Tools

Python scripting

Test automation

RF testing equipment

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, 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.

We are looking for a Systems Engineer to join our team in Cedar Rapids, IA. This engineer will be asked to contribute to a variety of components including, but not limited to: datalink/communications, Position and Time sensors, Navigation Algorithms, Modeling, Antennas, etc. The possible activities may span the entirety of Engineering Development Lifecycle, including Design, Requirements, Validation & Verification, and Integration. A large portion of the day will be spent in the lab with hands‑on equipment. With the full array of Precision Landing‑ enabling functionalities, the team is responsible for architecting, designing, and developing systems and producing products that serve the Land, Sea and Airborne domains. Datalinks, Airborne computing, data processing and GPS Sensor Systems are just some of the sub‑products that make up the product line.

What You Will Do

• Drive test efforts in support of the SDA T2 Beta
• Become familiar with test efforts requirements, rigorous test procedure development and extensive system-level lab testing
• Collaborate with team members to learn best practices and troubleshoot tough problems
• Communicate with our Government customers and the certifying agency
• Travel up to 10%

Qualifications You Must Have

• Familiarity with systems development process, including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, and verification/validation, and transition to production
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 2 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field

Qualifications We Prefer

• Knowledge of RF propagation, testing, test equipment
• Familiarity with comm engineering architectures (e.g: general radio transceiver architectures/designs, basic radio functional component blocks, performance specifications and test methodologies)
• Experience with Python scripting, test automationStrong communication skills, experience presenting technical data

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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

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.

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.

Employee Referral Eligible

#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 68,900 USD - 131,100 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.