Principal Electrical Engineer - Hardware (Onsite)

Principal Hardware Electrical Engineer

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.

The Resilient Connectivity Products (RCP) Hardware Technologies organization is seeking a Principal Hardware Electrical Engineer to help shape the next generation of secure, high speed communication systems for ground, airborne, and space platforms. You'll join a team building cutting-edge, high speed digital electronics that power mission critical systems—advanced software defined radios, high bandwidth data links, and secure communication platforms spanning ground, airborne, and space environments.

This is an Electrical design and leadership role where you'll influence the architecture and development of high-speed digital circuit card assemblies (CCAs), applying knowledge of FPGAs, processors, and memory to deliver next-generation products. Strong expertise in high-speed digital PCB design, signal integrity, EMI control, manufacturability, and testability is essential. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners and will support all phases of the hardware development lifecycle—program pursuit, design, integration, verification, and factory transition.

Potential Locations:

• Cedar Rapids, IA
• Fort Wayne, IN

What You Will Do:

• Design high-speed digital Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) from requirements and schematic capture through PCB layout, integration, and production.
• Mentor Hardware Engineers on high-speed digital design principles, PCB layout techniques, and hardware development best practices.
• Ensure robust signal and power integrity (SI/PI) via advanced modeling, simulation, and hardware validation.
• Champion Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT) principles to ensure producible, cost-effective, and testable designs.
• Perform hardware integration and Design Verification Testing (DVT), while providing technical support for Product Qualification Testing, factory production, and formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Collaborate across Systems, Software, and Mechanical Engineering teams while serving as the primary technical interface to align internal stakeholders, leadership and customers on program objectives.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Expertise in high-speed digital design for complex multilayer PCBs (12+ layers) with strong understanding of DFM/DFT, PCB fabrication, controlled impedance design, board assembly, and design verification testing.
• Demonstrated end to end circuit card development experience — from concept through production —requirements, schematic capture, layout, bring up, and integration.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools like Xpedition, Cadence Allegro, or Altium Designer.
• Hands on SI/PI analysis experience with tools such as HyperLynx, ADS, or SPICE.
• A degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 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

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active SECRET Security Clearance or HIGHER
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical info to non-technical stakeholders, leadership, and customers.
• Advanced knowledge of high-speed protocols, such as PCIe, Ethernet, and high-speed memory interfaces
• Control Account Manager (CAM) experience with knowledge of the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and practices for performing cost, schedule, and risk management for hardware development projects.
• Ability to prepare estimates, bids and proposals.
• Previous experience working in a defense or aerospace company
• Experience with Agile for Hardware Development as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner, including planning, tracking, and managing hardware development projects in JIRA is a plus.

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, and 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
• Eligible for relocation
• And more!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you'll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.