Date Posted:2026-08-11
Country:United States of America
Location:US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-182 ~ 1100 Cimmie Ave Ne ~ BLDG 182
Position Role Type:Onsite
U.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 clearance
Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret
Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1
Are you ready to shape the future of military rotorcraft avionics?Join our Rotary Wing Platform Systems Team within Integrated Avionics Systems at Collins Aerospace. You will support the development, integration, and testing of the Special Operations Aviation (SOA) Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) across multiple rotary-wing platforms.
We are seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer to serve as the SOA CAAS Test Lead. This position requires a self-starter capable of independently leading complex test activities, solving technical problems, mentoring engineers, and working directly with our government customers.
What You Will Do:- Lead SOA CAAS system-level test activities including requirements-based verification, robustness testing, lab integration, and aircraft testing.
- Own test planning, readiness, execution, status, and technical coordination for CAAS software releases and system updates.
- Develop and review requirements, test procedures, test plans, schedules, reports, and verification artifacts.
- Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex hardware, software, aircraft, and interface integration issues.
- Coordinate test activities across Platform Systems, software CSCIs, architecture, safety, airworthiness, program leadership, and customer stakeholders.
- Maintain and integrate Collins Aerospace and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) within system integration laboratories.
- Support aircraft ground and flight test activities, including preparation, configuration, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
- Provide technical mentorship and direction to systems and test engineers.
- Represent the SOA CAAS team in technical discussions with customers and internal engineering organizations.
- Support bids and pursuits through test planning, technical input, and engineering estimates.
- Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally, typically
What You Will Learn:- Expand your expertise in CAAS architecture, integration, qualification, and aircraft testing.
- Lead multidisciplinary test activities from initial planning through formal verification and aircraft execution.
- Build direct relationships with government customers, operators, and test organizations.
Influence future CAAS capabilities, test strategies, and the technical development of the SOA CAAS team. - Gain extensive experience integrating complex avionics systems across Special Operations Aviation rotary-wing platforms.
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.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD SECRET security clearance after day 1.
- Experience in systems engineering, avionics integration, system verification, or requirements-based testing.
- Experience independently leading complex engineering or test activities.
Qualifications We Prefer:- Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III Flight Physical.
- Collins Aerospace Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) experience.
- Avionics Test Lead, Flight Test Engineer/Director, Systems Integration Lead, or similar technical leadership experience.
- Military or civil aircraft avionics integration and test experience.
- Experience troubleshooting complex integrated avionics systems.
- Working knowledge of Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553B, and ARINC-429.
- Experience with TLDB, DOORS, PREP, JIRA, SVN, and Microsoft Office.
- Experience developing requirements, test plans/procedures, and verification artifacts.
- Experience working directly with government customers and military aircrew.
- Demonstrated technical mentorship and strong communication skills.
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
- 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
This role may be eligible for relocation.
Learn More & Apply Now!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.
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.
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. 
