Principal Engineer - DSP/Waveform (Onsite)

Date Posted:
2025-11-18
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:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.Security Clearance:
DoD Clearance: Secret

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

Mission Systems Advanced Technology & Capabilities (ATC) is seeking a Principal Engineer to perform research & development on the waveform Technologies team in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role will contribute to and lead a large portfolio of projects-serving as design authority for Digital Signal Processing/waveform systems that operate under the most demanding conditions, rapidly developing new ideas, leading advanced technology development projects, and pursuing external funding.

Collins Mission Systems ATC groups focus on cutting edge Department of Defense research and development projects. As an ATC engineer, you will continually advance the state of the art through the creation of innovative system concepts and technological capabilities. As cutting-edge concepts / capabilities are proven, matured, and demonstrated, you will collaborate with business unit engineers in the adoption and transition of technologies into the next generation of Collins products and services.

Within a group of highly innovative engineers, this role provides leadership over low TRL (Technology Readiness Level <6) programs to ensure all the key performance characteristics are consistently met and that valuable IP is captured and protected as part of the Invention Disclosure process. The effective candidate will have experience both capturing pursuits and bringing the program's vision to reality, including technical leadership and execution.

What You Will Do:

• Engage in close, cross-functional collaboration with teams across the Systems, Software, Firmware, and Hardware domains to analyze complex technical challenges, identify opportunities for innovation, and develop and implement effective, forward-thinking solutions
• Drive the architecture, design, simulation, implementation, testing, and troubleshooting of cutting-edge digital signal processing (DSP) and waveform solutions for communications, navigation, radar, and electronic warfare applications, including both clean-sheet designs and system updates
• Cross-domain communicate to derive technical requirements from overarching project goals and mission needs.
• Develop, champion, and pursue new ideas in advanced DSP and waveform technologies
• Connecting peers at the advanced technology level for strategic technology opportunities, and creating and delivering technical presentations to internal representatives on standard committee
• Lead external funding pursuits through Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), proposal writing and customer engagement
• Assist in shaping technical direction through the development of technology roadmaps and project concepts aligned with business objectives
• Complete assigned tasks with accountability for technical execution, cost, schedule, and design-to-cost
• Lead small project teams (5+ members), providing technical direction and mentorship
• Train and support less-experienced engineers and designers.
• Ability to travel up to 15%

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
• Active and transferable secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• Experience with Design, Simulation, and Implementation using tools such as: MathWorks tool suite (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink),
• FPGA development tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Synplify),
• Experience with modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, channel modeling, and evaluating metrics such as BER/MER
• Proficiency in acquisition/tracking algorithms, filter and filter bank design, rate matching, equalization, rake receivers, etc
• Experience with DSP/Waveform technology

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• Specialized experience in Digital Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), and communications systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Effective team collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Ability to conduct link budget analysis, assess signal impairments, and evaluate coding/spreading gain and LPI/LPD performance.
• Experience with beamforming, phased array algorithms, system calibration, frame-of-reference conversions, and tracking techniques (e.g., Kalman filters)
• Strong background in algorithm development, simulation, and implementation using tools such as: MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, Python, VHDL or other HDL languages
• AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas),
• Large Language Model (LLM) toolsets
• System on a Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device including high-speed digital signal lines, and complex digital subsystems
• Experience writing white papers and responding to Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
• Proven ability to lead teams or programs to successful execution within budget and schedule constraints
• Demonstrated experience in advancing technology from research and development into productization
• Familiarity with DARPA or U.S. Department of Defense labs, including experience in customer engagement, proposal development, and program execution

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.

What We Offer:

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
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

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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