Senior Principal Systems Engineer – MilAv OPAS

RTX

Senior Principal Systems Engineer responsible for leading systems engineering and technical management in aerospace projects for Collins Aerospace. Collaborating across teams to deliver customer-focused avionics solutions.

Posted 7/2/2026full-timeCedar Rapids • Alabama, Iowa • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $132,400 - $251,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Systems Engineering leadership, technical risk management, and end-to-end systems architecture governance. Proven ability to manage program performance, lead teams, and communicate effectively across all levels of an organization.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems Engineering LeadershipTechnical Risk ManagementModel Based Systems EngineeringAgile Environment ExperienceTechnical Proposal Writing

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills

Requirements AnalysisPerformance PredictionSystem IntegrationTest Plan DevelopmentAutomation Test ToolsEnd-to-End Systems ArchitectureTechnical Design ReviewInterface DefinitionCost ManagementIncremental Development

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationTeam MotivationMentoringRelationship BuildingProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

Magic Draw CAMEORhapsodyEnterprise ArchitectAgile MethodologiesTechnical Standards Compliance

Industry Keywords

STEM DegreeAircraft Level System IntegrationTechnology Readiness LevelFACE StandardsDO-178 Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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 20% of time)

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.
Experience with Systems Engineering leadership in an agile environment.
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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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