Systems Engineering Intern (Summer 2027), SAOC, Cedar Rapids, IA (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) match

Flexible work schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Job summary

RTX is seeking a hands-on intern to support hardware integration in the Systems Engineering Lab in Cedar Rapids. You will assist with equipment setup, installation, cabling, and troubleshooting of communications systems for aerospace and defense platforms.

You will learn MBSE techniques using CAMEO to model system architectures and work within a cross-functional Agile engineering team under mentorship from experienced engineers.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in STEM and enrolled through internship/co-op.
• Exposure to prototype hardware integration including setup, cabling, troubleshooting, and testing.
• Experience with tools to document configurations and track test results.

Responsibilities

• Support hardware integration in the Systems Engineering Lab with setup, installation, cabling, and troubleshooting of communications systems.
• Assist system integration and testing by supporting test execution and documenting results.
• Develop, decompose, and trace requirements for DoD communications systems for airborne and ground platforms using systems thinking.
• Explore MBSE with CAMEO to create logical and physical architecture diagrams.
• Contribute to an agile, cross-functional engineering team following Collins Aerospace processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced STEM degree

Tools

Jama

Jira

Confluence

Visio

Excel

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-09

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-143 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 143

Position Role Type: Onsite

What You Will Do:

• Support hands-on hardware integration in our Systems Engineering Lab, including equipment setup, hardware installation, cabling, and troubleshooting of communications systems.
• Collaborate on system integration and testing by supporting test execution, documenting results, and maintaining laboratory configurations.
• Apply systems engineering fundamentals to develop, decompose, and trace requirements for military communications systems supporting both airborne and ground-based platforms.
• Explore Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) by using CAMEO to develop logical and physical system architecture diagrams.
• Contribute to a cross-functional Agile engineering team, partnering with experienced engineers and a dedicated mentor while applying Collins Aerospace engineering processes.

What You Will Learn:

• Gain hands-on engineering experience translating system requirements into integrated hardware solutions while developing practical skills in equipment integration, installation, and troubleshooting.
• Build real-world integration and test experience by learning how engineers plan, execute, document, and evaluate testing of mission-critical aerospace and defense systems.
• Develop foundational systems engineering skills by learning how requirements are created, decomposed, traced, and applied throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Explore next-generation engineering tools and technologies by gaining practical experience with CAMEO and MBSE techniques used to model complex systems and architectures.
• Experience engineering in the Aerospace & Defense industry by collaborating with systems engineering experts, security and cryptographic certification specialists, and cross-functional Agile teams to understand how secure, mission-critical communications solutions are designed and delivered.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor's or Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Exposure to prototype hardware integration through equipment setup, installation, cabling, troubleshooting, and testing.
• Experience using engineering tools and software applications, such as Microsoft Visio, Excel, or hardware diagnostic utilities, to document system configurations, track test results, and support troubleshooting.
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. 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 on day 1.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Familiarity with systems engineering fundamentals, including capturing customer needs, developing operational concepts, and decomposing and tracing system and subsystem requirements.
• Interest or experience working in an Agile engineering environment, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across software, hardware, cybersecurity, and systems engineering.
• Exposure to engineering tools and integration and test processes, such as Atlassian Jama, Jira or Confluence, automated test scripting, data analysis, and the development of integration, verification, and validation plans, procedures, and reports.
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering concepts and tools such as Cameo, Magic Draw, Enterprise Architect, or similar resources using SysML.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to approach complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with an eagerness to contribute ideas and work with engineers across multiple disciplines.

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.

Relocation Eligibility

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.

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.

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

• 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.

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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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.