Systems Engineer II– Position, Navigation & Timing (Onsite)

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: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

 Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

 Security Clearance Status: Not Required 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. J oin 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 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. 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. Why You Will Learn Gain hands-on experience designing and developing advanced Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies in a fast-paced, agile environment. Learn how innovative concepts evolve into prototypes, demonstrations, and operational aerospace solutions. Build expertise in embedded software, satellite communications, signal processing, and systems engineering while solving complex PNT challenges. Collaborate with experienced engineers, researchers, universities, national laboratories, and industry partners across the aerospace community. Expand your technical knowledge by contributing to system architectures, technology roadmaps, proposals, prototypes, and technical publications.

Support the design and implementation of PNT algorithms and software as part of system and prototype development. Run modeling and simulation tasks using tools such as MATLAB or Simulink to evaluate concepts and analyze performance. Participate in lab, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, and field test activities including setup, data collection, and analysis of results. Capture architectures, design decisions, and test outcomes in clear documentation to support team review and development. Assist project leads by identifying issues, tracking technical progress, and communicating findings to the team.

You Must Have Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and two or more years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree, or equivalent experience. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoW security clearance. Exposure to PNT systems or navigation concepts including estimation methods, sensor fusion, inertial integration, or GNSS technologies. Familiarity with GNSS fundamentals and with navigation approaches for resilient or GPS‑degraded operation. Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB or Simulink for analysis or prototyping.

We Prefer Experience developing navigation, signal processing, communications, or estimation algorithms. Hands‑on experience implementing algorithms in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or C or C++. Exposure to phased arrays, beamforming, calibration methods, or tracking and estimation techniques. Experience