Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Avionics Network Architect (Hybrid)

RTX • Cedar Rapids, IA

22h • $132,400 - $251,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Computing Products Department (CPD) at Collins Aerospace is building a next-generation family of safety-critical avionics Ethernet switches. This role sits at the center of systems architecture, embedded networking, silicon strategy, firmware, software, safety, and cybersecurity. The opportunity is to help define what comes after today’s AFDX-based networks.

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.
• Significant experience in several of the following areas: 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

What This Job Offers

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