Principal Avionics Systems Network Architect (Onsite)

Date Posted:
2025-09-18
Country:
United States of America
Location:
HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA
Position Role Type:
Onsite
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Security Clearance:
None/Not Required

The Computing Products Department (CPD) at Collins Aerospace seeks a technically exceptional and forward-thinking Principal Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and integration of mission- and safety-critical networking systems for advanced avionics platforms.

As a key technical leader in our Displays, Computing & Networking Directorate, you'll be at the forefront of building the embedded networks that power everything from commercial airliners and rotorcraft to next-gen military fighters. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping and deploying resilient, deterministic networks capable of handling the extreme demands of real-time flight operations.

What You Will Do:

• Architect and design deterministic and Ethernet-based networks that meet the stringent requirements of safety-critical avionics systems.
• Serve as the technical authority and point of contact for all networking-related questions across multiple programs.
• Capture and translate network-level source requirements into system architecture, interface definitions, and configuration strategies.
• Collaborate with internal networking fellows and cross-functional experts to shape the next generation of secure, fault-tolerant avionics networks.
• Lead system-level integration, troubleshooting, and verification activities in lab environments.
• Drive the development of automated test strategies and tools and ensure robust validation across network interfaces.
• Mentor other systems engineers and collaborate closely with hardware, software, and firmware teams to deliver cohesive and scalable system designs.
• Contribute to the bid and pursuit process, providing technical insight and proposal leadership for networking solutions.
• 10-25% of global travel as needed.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires 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.
• End-to-end systems engineering experience: requirements definition, design, integration, V&V, and deployment.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems, hardware/software interfaces, and systems integration.
• Expertise in designing and specifying deterministic network architectures, including but not limited to:
  • Ethernet-based networks (IPv4/IPv6, TSN, VLANs, QoS, multicast).
  • Deterministic legacy protocols: ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, ARINC 629
• Experience configuring and validating network components: switches, routers, NICs, gateways
• Strong background in network testing, simulation, and automated scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Familiarity with bid/pursuit process.
• Excellent interpersonal and technical communication skills, including documentation and interface negotiation
• Strong sense of ownership, mission focus, and the ability to thrive in high-reliability aerospace environments
• Experience with safety-critical development standards, such as DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754A.
• Understanding of network security, redundancy, deterministic networks, fault tolerance, and EMI/EMC in aerospace environments.
• Background in virtualized architectures, data flows, or advanced avionics bus protocols.

What We Offer:

Benefits:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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
• And more!

This role may be eligible for relocation.

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form - with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

Apply now and be part of the team that's redefining aerospace, every day.

The salary range for this role is 101,000 USD - 203,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

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