Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Avionics Network Architect (Hybrid)

RTX•Cedar Rapids, IA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Architect the Next Generation of Avionics Networking The Computing Products Department (CPD) at Collins Aerospace is building a next‑generation family of safety‑critical avionics Ethernet switches—and we’re looking for a Sr Principal Systems Engineer who wants to shape the networking architecture that future aircraft will rely on for decades. This role sits at the center of systems architecture, embedded networking, silicon strategy, firmware, software, safety, and cybersecurity. If you want to help define what comes after today’s AFDX‑based networks, this is the opportunity.

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.
Avionics network architecture and deterministic networking
Ethernet switching, bridging, Layer 2/3, IP networking
VLANs, QoS, priority management, multicast
Traffic policing/shaping, redundancy, sync
Switch/router/NIC/gateway configuration
Network performance analysis, packet capture, troubleshooting
Network simulation and automated testing
Embedded HW/SW integration
Requirements development, system architecture, interface definition
Integration, verification & validation, trade studies, root‑cause analysis

Nice To Haves

ARINC 664 Part 7 / AFDX
IEEE 802.1 TSN, aerospace TSN (IEEE 802.1DP / SAE AS6675)
Precision time synchronization
Fault ‑ tolerant Ethernet, mixed ‑ criticality networking
Gigabit/multi ‑ Gigabit embedded Ethernet
Network switch ASICs, network processors, FPGA packet processing
PHY/SerDes architecture
Network configuration/management architectures
Network telemetry, diagnostics, Wireshark
Traffic ‑ generation and performance ‑ test equipment
Hardware ‑ in ‑ the ‑ loop and systems integration labs
DO ‑ 178C, DO ‑ 254/AC 20 ‑ 152A, ARP4754A/B, DO ‑ 326A
Reusable safety ‑ critical platform development

Responsibilities

Architect the Next Generation of Avionics Networking Products: Lead the architecture for a scalable family of deterministic avionics Ethernet switches—defining the technical roadmap, reusable building blocks, interfaces, configuration strategy, and engineering principles guiding multiple future platforms.
Drive architectural decisions across: Port count, topology, bandwidth, latency, jitter, buffering, Redundancy and availability strategies, Switch silicon, processors, memory, PHY/SerDes technologies, Copper/fiber interfaces, packaging, power, and thermal constraints, Hardware/software/firmware partitioning and growth paths.
Lead the Evolution from AFDX to Deterministic Ethernet & TSN: Define architectures that integrate today’s ARINC 664 Part 7 / AFDX with emerging deterministic Ethernet technologies such as TSN, IEEE 802.1DP/SAE AS6675, advanced time synchronization, QoS, mixed ‑ criticality traffic, and network health monitoring.
Engineer Deterministic Performance: Lead analyses to prove the architecture delivers deterministic performance: End ‑ to ‑ end latency, worst ‑ case timing, traffic flow, Buffer/queue behaviors, packet loss, burst analysis, Multicast load, congestion behavior, Failure detection, network recovery timing, Synchronization accuracy, scalability, capacity.
Technical Leadership Across Disciplines: Coordinate hardware, software, firmware, systems, test, safety, and cybersecurity engineering—guiding how all disciplines contribute to one coherent networking architecture. Mentor networking engineers, shape design patterns, lead major reviews, and engage across customer, supplier, and cross ‑ functional teams.

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
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs