Date Posted:
2026-02-05Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-143 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 143Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.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 clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: SecretSecurity Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1Collins Aerospace is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to support the development and sustainment of military Flight Deck and Avionics systems for defense platforms. This role is focused on delivering mission-critical cockpit capabilities that operate in contested, safety-critical, and high-reliability environments.
The Lead Systems Engineer will provide hands-on technical leadership for assigned Flight Deck system scopes, driving requirements, architecture, integration, and verification activities while serving as a key technical interface to program leadership, internal engineering teams, and government customers. This position supports both new development and modernization efforts across military aviation programs and requires disciplined systems engineering execution aligned with defense acquisition and airworthiness standards.
What You Will Do
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Lead systems engineering execution for assigned Flight Deck subsystems across the full lifecycle (requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification, and certification support).
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Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification plans for avionics and cockpit systems.
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Perform and lead technical trade studies, requirements decomposition, and design decisions in collaboration with hardware, software, human factors, and integration teams.
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Serve as a technical focal point for assigned scope, supporting internal program reviews and customer technical interactions.
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Integrate across Flight Deck disciplines including displays, controls, sensors, avionics networks, and human–machine interfaces.
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Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles to develop SysML models, requirements traceability, and interface definitions using standard tools.
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Support system integration, lab testing, and issue resolution, including hands-on engagement when required.
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Maintain awareness of technical performance, schedule, and cost impacts for assigned scope and coordinate closely with program management.
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Support change management, technical risk identification, and mitigation planning.
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Contribute to proposal and capture activities for Flight Deck system upgrades and new development efforts.
Qualifications You Must Have
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Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
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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
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Experience in systems engineering processes for hardware- and software-intensive aerospace systems.
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Experience developing and managing requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification plans.
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Demonstrated experience with Flight Deck systems such as displays, controls, avionics networks (ARINC 429/664), sensors, or human–machine interfaces.
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Experience supporting system integration, lab testing, and issue resolution.
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Experience in program execution fundamentals (schedule, cost, and performance) and collaboration with program management.
Qualifications We Prefer
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Experience with certification or airworthiness processes (FAA, EASA, MIL-HDBK).
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Experience with Flight Deck human factors and cockpit integration.
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Experience supporting proposal development or new business captures.
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Experience in both commercial and military avionics programs.
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Strong communication skills for technical coordination and reviews.
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Experience applying MBSE concepts and tools (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect).
What We Offer:
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
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Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
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Tuition reimbursement program
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Student Loan Repayment Program
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Life insurance and disability coverage
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Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
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Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
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Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
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Adoption Assistance
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Autism Benefit
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Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
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Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
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Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
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Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
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Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
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May be eligible for relocation
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And more!
Learn More & Apply Now!
Mission Systems:
Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.
- Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role.
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.
Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.
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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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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