Principal Systems Engineer - Infrastructure (Onsite)

Principal Systems Engineer

We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to work onsite in either Richardson, TX or Cedar Rapids, IA. Are you looking to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career? At Collins Aerospace, your systems engineering expertise will help shape the future of aerospace technology and support mission-critical national defense systems. As a Principal Systems Engineer within Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS), you'll contribute to next-generation network, compute, storage, and cybersecurity solutions supporting Strategic Nuclear Deterrence programs. In this role, you'll work alongside experienced professionals across communications and nuclear deterrence while gaining hands-on experience throughout the systems engineering lifecycle. You'll support the development of advanced technologies from early-stage concepts through accreditation and production.

We're looking for curious, driven problem-solvers who are eager to learn and grow. Our team values different backgrounds, collaboration, and innovation. If you're excited by challenging work and the opportunity to develop new skills while contributing to critical missions, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Capture, analyze, decompose, and trace system requirements.
• Design, develop, and model complex systems and subsystems using SysML.
• Create, execute, and verify system and subsystem test procedures.
• Lead system integration and troubleshooting across embedded software, hardware, LRUs, and system-of-systems environments.
• Use JIRA to decompose epics and features into user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
• Plan and execute project work while managing schedules, technical risks, costs, and performance objectives.
• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams in both meeting and classified lab environments.
• Engage in classified lab environments to apply your expertise hands-on.

What You'll Learn:

• Hands-on experience with advanced aerospace and defense solutions supporting military platforms and cloud-based technologies.
• Leadership principles and operational excellence through Collins Aerospace's Customer Oriented Results and Excellence (CORE) Operating System.
• Industry best practices from experts in communications, systems engineering, and nuclear deterrence.
• Practical skills and career-building expertise while contributing to critical national security missions.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Hands-on experience designing network architectures using physical and virtual networks with VMware or cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure, Oracle) in cloud and hybrid environments.
• Leadership and mentoring experience with systems engineering teams.
• Effective communication skills with all levels of management, program team members, and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record in capturing customer requirements, operations concept development, deriving and tracing system and sub-system requirements.
• Agile experience as a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or other Agile leadership roles.
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) + 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field + 5 years of experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued secret clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active/Current US security clearance.
• Proficiency with MBSE tools like MagicDraw CAMEO, Rhapsody, or Enterprise Architect.
• Expertise in building complex SysML models, including developing activity, state, block diagrams, use cases, etc.
• Knowledge of Project Management, Control Account Management (CAM), and earned value.
• Familiarity with bidding and project/task estimation tools (e.g., SEER products).
• Competence in peer review processes, configuration, and change management.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and corrective actions.

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 may be eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!