Senior Principal Systems Engineer – Position, Navigation & Timing

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

 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 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. Join a small, high-impact team in Collins Aerospace’s Applied Research & Technology organization focused on pioneering alternative position, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions for next-generation defense platforms. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will develop and field innovative PNT technologies designed to operate in contested and GPS-denied environments, turning emerging research into mission-ready capabilities. Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Applied Research & Technology is Collins’ startup-style innovation engine. Small, focused teams explore, prototype, and demonstrate new technologies for future aerospace and defense systems. You get the freedom to experiment and move fast, with access to world-class labs, data, and product teams that can field what you build. The Defense Technologies segment turns emerging concepts into mission-ready capabilities for contested environments. We build resilient communications and navigation solutions, secure and cyber-resilient avionics, advanced sensing, and autonomous technologies for warfighters. You work close to real missions, with clear paths to prove ideas in the lab, at the range, and on platforms.

Architect and deliver advanced PNT software and system solutions that balance performance, SWaP, cost, reliability, and security. Rapidly develop prototypes across simulations, lab environments, and hardware-in-the-loop setups to evaluate concepts and reduce risk. Run experiments and simulations, analyze results, and iterate quickly to mature concepts into robust implementations. Capture designs, architectures, and test insights to ensure your work can be reviewed, validated, and extended across teams. Work with project and program leads to manage technical risk, align plans, and communicate status and tradeoffs clearly. Support lab, field, and flight test activities to demonstrate capability, validate performance, and inform design improvements. Contribute to proposals, white papers, and technical briefings that drive future opportunities and research directions. Ability to travel up to 15% as required to support project, customer, and business needs.

How to rapidly develop advanced technologies within agile, startup-like teams while leveraging the resources, expertise, and flight heritage of a leading aerospace company. How to drive innovation across the full product lifecycle—from concept development and threat analysis to prototyping, demonstration, and transition into operational systems.