Lead Systems Engineer - Flight Deck (Onsite)

RTX • Cedar Rapids, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to support the development and sustainment of military Flight Deck and Avionics systems for defense platforms. This role is focused on delivering mission-critical cockpit capabilities that operate in contested, safety-critical, and high-reliability environments. The Lead Systems Engineer will provide hands-on technical leadership for assigned Flight Deck system scopes, driving requirements, architecture, integration, and verification activities while serving as a key technical interface to program leadership, internal engineering teams, and government customers. This position supports both new development and modernization efforts across military aviation programs and requires disciplined systems engineering execution aligned with defense acquisition and airworthiness standards.

Requirements

• 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
• 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
• Experience in systems engineering processes for hardware- and software-intensive aerospace systems.
• Experience developing and managing requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification plans.
• Demonstrated experience with Flight Deck systems such as displays, controls, avionics networks (ARINC 429/664), sensors, or human–machine interfaces.
• Experience supporting system integration, lab testing, and issue resolution.
• Experience in program execution fundamentals (schedule, cost, and performance) and collaboration with program management.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with certification or airworthiness processes (FAA, EASA, MIL-HDBK).
• Experience with Flight Deck human factors and cockpit integration.
• Experience supporting proposal development or new business captures.
• Experience in both commercial and military avionics programs.
• Strong communication skills for technical coordination and reviews.
• Experience applying MBSE concepts and tools (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect).

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering execution for assigned Flight Deck subsystems across the full lifecycle (requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification, and certification support).
• Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification plans for avionics and cockpit systems.
• Perform and lead technical trade studies, requirements decomposition, and design decisions in collaboration with hardware, software, human factors, and integration teams.
• Serve as a technical focal point for assigned scope, supporting internal program reviews and customer technical interactions.
• Integrate across Flight Deck disciplines including displays, controls, sensors, avionics networks, and human–machine interfaces.
• Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles to develop SysML models, requirements traceability, and interface definitions using standard tools.
• Support system integration, lab testing, and issue resolution, including hands-on engagement when required.
• Maintain awareness of technical performance, schedule, and cost impacts for assigned scope and coordinate closely with program management.
• Support change management, technical risk identification, and mitigation planning.
• Contribute to proposal and capture activities for Flight Deck system upgrades and new development efforts.

Benefits

• 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
• May be eligible for relocation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level