Principal Systems Engineer - MilAv OPAS (Hybrid)

Date Posted:

2026-06-23

Country:

United States of America

Location:

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

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 information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

 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.

The Open Platform Application Software (OPAS) team is looking for an exceptionally motivated Principal Systems Engineer that is passionate about systems engineering with the ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment.  This position will be responsible for supporting development of product line and demonstration programs as well as motivating team members, facilitating meetings, cultivating and reinforcing appropriate group values, norms and behaviors, and identifying, analyzing and correcting problems. Projects span the entire development lifecycle, including pursuit and order capture, system design, requirements definition, requirement allocation, requirement traceability, use case development for software/hardware, software development, systems integration, verification testing and qualification. The candidate will work closely with fellow systems and software engineers, Project Chief Engineers (PEs), Product Line / Program Management, hardware, electrical and support staff to assure defined requirements are consistently met and high-quality solutions are delivered.  This position will support defining the future ready avionics solutions that meet and exceed customer expectations. 

Role is hybrid in either Cedar Rapids, IA or Huntsville, AL, but remote is possible based on candidate. 

Product Summary: 

FACE (Future Airborne Capability Environment) - Our software products are used to support not only navigation, flight planning, and guidance with our MFMS-1000 solution, but also hazard avoidance in real time as part of our Avoidance Re-Router (ARR-7000), including a software layer in a distributed, layered architecture (like the FACE Technical Standard) responsible for moving data between applications our Transport Segment Services (TSS) and which are being deployed on a variety of emerging platforms and next generation pursuits.  

For more information on these innovative solutions, please refer to the following links:  

ARR-7000: 

• https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Software-Applications/Avoidance-Re-router---ARR-7000.aspx  

  

MFMS-1000 

• https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Software-Applications/Mission-Flight-Management-Software-MFMS-1000.aspx  

Collins TSS: 

• https://prd-sc102-cdn.rtx.com/collinsaerospace/-/media/ca/product-assets/marketing/f/future-vertical-lift/mosarc_datasheets/10972-mosarc-software-tss_mah_av_datasheet-v5.pdf?rev=dffd8dc86d5441eab1211be496505d9c&rid=56c45a5d1c97408aa54725b4ecea641c&hash=8C7A5765F6093AF6E2B0CBC1589A77D8 

Mosarc:  

• https://www.rtx.com/collinsaerospace/what-we-do/industries/helicopters/rotary-wing/mosarc-avionics 

What You Will Do:

• Technical management and design review preparation and conduct.

• Requirements analysis and derivation, performance prediction, allocation of system-level requirements to lower-level requirements, and requirements management.

• Responsible for helping to manage the technical performance of a program team which may include multiple small teams (5-10).

• Plan out and lead the incremental development of upgrades and system improvements. 

• Supports managing the cost & technical performance of a medium to large program team, or large subcontractor. 

• Prepares and maintains project plans, budgets, and staffing requirements to ensure that all action item lists are completed, and project quality expectations are met. 

• Support and motivate the team to deliver customer milestones and deliverables to meet program business plans.

• Interfacing with management, suppliers, customers, and members of the technical design team.

• Provide timely and effective communication to management and customers. 

• Engineering activities associated with design, development, procurement, and testing. 

• Provide technical and functional leadership for assigned Components, Projects, Teams and Tasks. 

• Plan and maintain detailed schedule and resource plans. 

• Lead Technology Development programs guiding products through Technology Readiness Level process. 

• Understanding and demonstrating adherence to the FACE and DO/178 technical standards.

• Lead system development teams to understand, analyze, and develop the models, requirements, software, and designs using enterprise standard tools, processes, and industry best practices.  

• Lead systems engineering execution and troubleshooting for complex embedded software applications, hardware, LRU’s, and system of systems environments.  

• Ensures the development and management of technical risks and develops and executes mitigation plans. 

• Establish trusted and influential relationships with customers, support staff, and suppliers. 

• Mentoring and development of more junior engineers. 
• Ability to travel domestically (up to 10% of time) 

Qualifications You Must Have: 

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Experience with Systems Engineering leadership in an agile environment.

Qualifications We Prefer: 

• Strong understanding of end-to-end systems architecture governance and design principles. 

• Expert in systems engineering and open systems architectures.

• Operations concept development 

• System and product design 

• Model & Requirements management 

• Technical risk management, interface definition and control 

• Experience with aircraft level system integration 

• Development of integration and test plans, test cases and procedures.

• Executing product and system level tests to include experience with automation test tools or scripting.

• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering concepts and tools such as Magic Draw CAMEO, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect.
• Experience in technical proposal writing - Make/Buy Decision-making and trade study experience.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with and communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team. 

 What We Offer:

Benefits: 

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:    

• 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 illness insurance, 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!   

This role may be eligible for relocation.

Learn More & Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

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.   

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day. 

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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.

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