Systems Engineering Co-op – Special Operations Aviation Mainline (Summer/Fall 2027) - Onsite

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

401(k) match

Job summary

RTX in Cedar Rapids is offering an internship/co-op-style opportunity for students pursuing Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. You will work with systems engineers to develop and integrate avionics for MH-47 and MH-60 aircraft, learn requirements capture and verification, and perform hands-on testing in SILs that mimic real avionics environments.

You’ll gain exposure to agile development, aerospace programs, and tool suites like DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, and ALM while contributing to mission-critical

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside systems engineers developing and integrating avionics capabilities for MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters.
• Learn how customer and system-level requirements are captured, decomposed, allocated, reviewed, and ultimately verified.
• Help develop engineering requirements and test procedures for new capabilities.
• Perform hands‑on testing in Systems Integration Laboratories (SILs) that replicate aircraft avionics and cockpit environments.

Skills

aviation interest

Education

Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

DOORS

JAMA

JIRA

ALM

Job description

Position Overview

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.

Location

Country: United States of America

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-182 ~ 1100 Cimmie Ave Ne ~ BLDG 182

Position Role Type

Onsite

Citizenship and Status Requirements

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

What You Will Do

• Work alongside systems engineers developing and integrating avionics capabilities for MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters.
• Learn how customer and system-level requirements are captured, decomposed, allocated, reviewed, and ultimately verified.
• Help develop engineering requirements and test procedures for new capabilities.
• Perform hands‑on testing in Systems Integration Laboratories (SILs) that replicate aircraft avionics and cockpit environments.
• See how engineering decisions made in Cedar Rapids ultimately support aircraft and crews operating in demanding environments.

What You Will Learn

• How complex aircraft systems move from customer need → requirement → design → integration → verification → fielded capability.
• How systems engineers make decisions when software, hardware, aircraft interfaces, and operational requirements all collide.
• How engineers troubleshoot complex integrated systems when the answer isn't obvious.
• How requirements and verification evidence are managed using tools such as DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, and ALM.
• How Agile development works on a large aerospace program.

Qualifications You Must Have

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be pursuing Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co‑op session.

Qualifications We Prefer

• An interest in aviation, avionics, software, systems engineering, integration, or test.
• Coursework or experience involving requirements, software, electronics, embedded systems, testing, or systems design.
• Familiarity with Agile development or tools such as DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, or ALM.
• Experience working on technical projects where you had to troubleshoot something that didn't work the first time.
• The confidence to ask questions when you don't understand something.

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Salary

The salary range for this role is 37,000 USD - 82,000 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.

Benefits

• 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
• 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.

Location Notes

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Company Overview

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.