Systems Engineer – Position, Navigation & Timing

RTX; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Life insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Job summary

RTX Cedar Rapids is seeking a highly motivated graduate engineer to contribute on PNT algorithms within system prototypes and real-time testing. You will join small, focused teams solving challenging aerospace/navigation problems and gain exposure to modeling, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and cross-functional collaboration.

The role requires a STEM degree, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD security clearance.
• Exposure to PNT systems or navigation concepts including estimation methods, sensor fusion, inertial integration, or GNSS technologies.
• Familiarity with GNSS fundamentals and navigation approaches for resilient or GPS-degraded operation.
• Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB or Simulink for analysis or prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of PNT algorithms and software as part of system and prototype development.
• Run modeling and simulation tasks using MATLAB or Simulink to evaluate concepts and analyze performance.
• Participate in lab, hardware-in-the-loop, and field test activities including setup, data collection, and analysis of results.
• Capture architectures, design decisions, and test outcomes in clear documentation to support team review and development.
• Assist project leads by identifying issues, tracking technical progress, and communicating findings to the team.

Skills

PNT concepts

GNSS fundamentals

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++ basics

Systems engineering

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-10-06

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

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

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

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.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

Work on small, agile teams where you help design and build advanced PNT capabilities backed by major aerospace resources.

Contribute across the full innovation cycle from early concepts through prototypes, demos, and transition into real systems.

Work on challenging PNT problems that blend embedded software, satellite communications, signal processing, and systems engineering.

Collaborate with engineers and researchers across Collins, RTX, universities, labs, and innovative small businesses.

Grow your skills while contributing to architectures, prototypes, roadmaps, proposals, and technical publications.

What You Will Do:

Support the design and implementation of PNT algorithms and software as part of system and prototype development.

Run modeling and simulation tasks using tools such as MATLAB or Simulink to evaluate concepts and analyze performance.

Participate in lab, hardware-in-the-loop, and field test activities including setup, data collection, and analysis of results.

Capture architectures, design decisions, and test outcomes in clear documentation to support team review and development.

Assist project leads by identifying issues, tracking technical progress, and communicating findings to the team.

Qualifications You Must Have:

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field

U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoW security clearance.

Exposure to PNT systems or navigation concepts including estimation methods, sensor fusion, inertial integration, or GNSS technologies.

Familiarity with GNSS fundamentals and with navigation approaches for resilient or GPS-degraded operation.

Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB or Simulink for analysis or prototyping.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Experience developing navigation, signal processing, communications, or estimation algorithms.

Hands‑on experience implementing algorithms in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or C or C++.

Exposure to phased arrays, beamforming, calibration methods, or tracking and estimation techniques.

Experience supporting applied research, prototype development, or experimental data analysis.

Familiarity with aerospace or defense development practices.

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.

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.

Remote: Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home). If you live within a reasonable commute of an RTX site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

Requires theoretical knowledge typically obtained through University Degree. Limited to some knowledge of RTX organization.

Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and less than 2 years prior relevant experience.

Engineering/Other Technical Positions: Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 2 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations.

_ As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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 57,200 USD - 108,800 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.