Senior Principal Systems Engineer – Test Lead (ONSITE)

RTX • Fullerton, CA

1d • $145,600 - $276,800 • Onsite

About The Position

Collins Aerospace is looking for an experienced Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Test Lead who is passionate about solving complex problems and wants to make a real impact on the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) and adjacent programs. In this role, you will be leading all system-level test planning, coordination, execution, and reporting activities for the JPALS program. This role is responsible for ensuring successful verification of complex, safety‑critical, integrated hardware/software systems used in demanding operational environments. The Test Lead works closely with systems engineering, software, hardware, specialty engineering, flight test organizations, and government stakeholders.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in systems engineering and system-level test for complex, multi‑subsystem mission systems
• Expertise across the full system test lifecycle, including test planning, requirements analysis/traceability, environment development, procedure creation, execution, reporting, and certification
• Proven leadership of test activities for aerospace or defense programs, including flight or shipboard test environments and platform integration considerations
• Strong knowledge of MIL‑STD testing and verification/validation practices for mission systems
• Ability to interpret and manage requirements, interface control documents, CONOPS, technical specifications, TRDs, and verification matrices
• Skilled in coordinating with government stakeholders, range personnel, and operational units; proficient with Digital Engineering tools (DOORS, Cameo, Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Office)
• 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
• Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of GPS/GNSS-based systems, RF signal processing, differential corrections, or navigation performance metrics
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and lifecycle (concept → design → integration → verification → validation)
• Ability to understand how system components interact
• Ability to identify requirement gaps, inconsistencies, conflicts, or duplication
• Problem/Defect identification, reporting, and resolution
• Exposure to Agile development workflows (Jira, Confluence)
• Familiarity with Verification Cross‑Reference Matrices (VCRM), TRDs, or Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) artifacts

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical leader for all developmental, integration, flight, and operational test activities for the JPALS program
• Develop detailed test plans, procedures, schedules, and data collection strategies for laboratory, field, and shipboard testing
• Lead multidisciplinary test teams, coordinating efforts across engineering, operations, manufacturing, and subcontractor partners
• Manage test readiness reviews, safety reviews, range coordination, and instrumentation planning
• Oversee execution of complex test events, ensuring adherence to safety, configuration control, and program requirements
• Rapidly assess issues discovered during testing, drive root-cause analysis, and coordinate resolution paths with engineering teams
• Maintain traceability of verification activities to system requirements, ensuring complete, compliant, and well-documented evidence
• Prepare and deliver clear reports, briefings, and formal documentation for internal leadership and customer stakeholders

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
• Carrot Health to hormonal 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
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

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