Senior Principal Systems Engineer (Systems Architect) (Hybrid)

Date Posted:

2026-09-24

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

 Position Role Type:

Hybrid

 U. S. Citizen, U.

S.

Person, or Immigration Status Requirements

This job requires a U. S. Person.

A U. S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.

S. C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.

S. C. 1324b(a)(3).

U. S. citizens, U.

S. nationals, U. S.

permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U. S. are considered U.

S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.

S. Person” go here. https://www.

ecfr. gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120. 62

 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 System Solutions team is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead the definition, development and evolution of complex aerospace systems through strong systems engineering and architectural expertise. This role will own system architecture decisions, establish technical direction and provide technical leadership across engineering teams to enable the successful implementation and adoption of system solutions.

The ideal candidate will bring deep systems engineering expertise and hands-on experience across system architecture, requirements management, engineering automation, verification, validation and aerospace certification processes.

The candidate will translate complex technical and business needs into scalable system architectures, establish engineering approaches and best practices, and provide technical guidance across multiple stakeholders and engineering disciplines.

Experience with DevSecOps frameworks, aerospace development standards such as ARP4754, Digital Engineering and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is highly desirable. Experience applying these practices to modernize and automate systems engineering processes is especially valuable.

If you are passionate about advancing systems engineering through automation, collaboration and innovative technologies, we encourage you to apply.

This is a hybrid position based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

What You Will Do

MBSE Strategy and Development:

• Lead the systems engineering team through all phases of system product development including stakeholder’s requirements capture, behavioral analysis, system architecture design, system verification, system validation and life-cycle product support.
• Lead the definition, development, and execution of the System Solutions strategy and roadmap for System Solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams to enable effective adoption, continuous improvement and support to programs across different business units.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Support coordination with System Method Representatives and System Discipline Boards by providing technical inputs, aligning priorities, and ensuring system engineering needs are represented.
• Support external stakeholder collaboration, such as with the Digital Product Lifecycle (DPLC) Technical Advisory Board, through alignment and dependency meetings and collaboration on System capabilities and initiatives.
• Work closely with System Solutions teams and the System Program Manager to coordinate dependencies, enable knowledge transfer across teams. Provide technical inputs, status, risks and recommendations.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support proposal and business development activities leveraging System engineering methodologies and automation practices.
• Mentor and train junior systems engineers, ensuring the long-term growth of expertise within System Solutions team.
• Travel up to 15% as needed to support program and collaboration efforts.

Qualifications

You Must Have:

• 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 in multiple areas of the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements development, design, integration, verification, validation, and technical documentation. Ideal candidate will have experience across the full development lifecycle for civil certification programs.
• Hands-on experience applying ARP4754 throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Polarion, DOORS)
• Experience/Interest in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles and tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw/Teamwork Cloud and SysML modeling.
• Experience or familiarity with emerging technologies, including computer vision, machine learning and/or optical character recognition.
• Experience or familiarity with DevSecOps framework.
• Experience or familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with Git or other version control systems.
• Experience working in aerospace or another highly regulated engineering environment.
• Experience working in a configuration-controlled environment, including problem reports and change requests.
• Ability to work within Eastern Time Zone core and global teams, including India Standard Time.

Qualifications

We Prefer:

• Experience developing automation with scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell) and thoroughly test implementations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work through complex technical issues.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work with internal teams, external suppliers and stakeholders.
• Practical project management capability, including the ability to manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders and the definition of common technical processes.
• Ability to collaborate across teams.

What We Offer

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!

Eligible for relocation

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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