Senior Systems Engineer (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-07-08 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130 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 Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. The Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) group, works on every aspect of guiding airplanes safely to the deck, is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who is capable of picking up more things than the arresting wire on a ship.  This engineer will be asked to contribute to a variety of components including, but not limited to: datalink/communications, position and time sensors, navigation algorithms, modeling, antennas, etc.  The possible activities may span the entirety of Engineering Development Lifecycle, including Design, Requirements, Validation & Verification, and Integration.  A large portion of the day will be spent in the lab with hands-on equipment. What You Will Do     • Be involved in the design of brand-new Precision Approach and Landing equipment     • Perform hands-on testing in a lab environment     • Ability to create, analyze, and review mechanical drawings and schematics     • Debug Real Time Operating System Software     • Assist in performing analysis at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal     • Help perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems     • Assist with managing configuration process, perform functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications     • Ability to create, analyze, and review mechanical drawings and schematics     • Coordinate with cross-functional team members to complete assignments & projects as defined and on schedule Qualifications You Must Have     • Assist with decomposing customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements and generates verification criteria and plans for the requirements     • Ability to debug hardware and software products in laboratory environments     • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience  Qualifications We Prefer     • Strong experience in a lab environment and with troubleshooting products     • Experience in MATLAB, Simulink, or other Model Based Systems Engineering toolset     • Proficient knowledge using Microsoft Office applications What We Offer     • 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     • This position is eligible for relocation assistance     • And more!   Learn More & Apply Now!  Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. *Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.  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.   Employee Referral Eligible 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 w