
Flight Controls Systems Engineer Intern (Summer 2026) (Onsite)
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Job Description
Date Posted:
2026-01-19Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62Security Clearance Type:
None/Not RequiredSecurity Clearance Status:
Not RequiredCollins Aerospace’s AFCS products have been flying and landing airplanes for over 30 years. Our customer base is a who's who of aircraft manufacturers and they demand systems which satisfy the highest levels of criticality at the lowest cost possible. This dichotomy provides a continuous challenge to our engineering team to employ new technology and methodologies in the development of our complex systems.
We are looking for a Systems Engineering Intern to join our team in Cedar Rapids, IA and contribute to the development of flight control products for the next generation of business, regional, military, and air-transport fixed and rotary wing platforms. Typical FCS functions include, but aren’t limited to flight guidance, autothrottle, autopilot, maintenance, and autoland systems. This position represents a great opportunity to apply your systems engineering skills to real-time embedded systems with critical safety requirements.
What You Will Do:
Define and review system requirements for flight control systems including functional requirements and interface requirements
Develop control algorithms and signal processing for flight control systems. This includes flight guidance, autothrottle, and attitude control systems
Develop models and simulation tools for various types of closed loop systems to assess performance
Conduct system verification and validation of the control algorithms, flight control system functional requirements and interface requirements.
Support product certification at all levels by performing ARP4754A/B compliant system development and DO-178B/C compliant software development.
Provide analysis support to the FCS flight test team and learn about the flight test process
Mentor with experienced systems and/or flight test engineers and learn about career opportunities in flight controls
What you will Learn:
Gain practical skills in areas like data analysis, system integration, test development, and verification processes
Hands-on-Experience with a variety of system engineering artifacts
Collaborate with a dynamic group of engineers from a variety of disciplines
Real world engineering experience will complement your education
Qualifications You Must Have:
Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and student must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an applicable discipline
U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee or asylee status) as defined here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62
Qualifications We Prefer:
Previous experience with Matlab/Simulink
Knowledge of control systems theory
General knowledge of aviation and/or flight control systems.
Learn More and Apply Now!
Collins Aerospace, a 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.
Our Avionics team advances flight deck solutions, airborne communications, vision systems, sensors and fire protection for commercial and military customers around the world. That means we’re helping people reach their destination safely and keeping pilots, passengers, flight crews, airlines, airports and military personnel connected and informed. And we’re providing industry-leading fire protection and safety systems that our customers can count on when it matters most. Are you ready to learn from the most knowledgeable experts in the industry, develop the technologies of tomorrow and reach new heights in your career? Join our Avionics team today.
WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.
Position is eligible for relocation.
* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for 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.
Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.
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 37,000 USD - 82,000 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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Job Details
- Category
- Aerospace Engineering
- Employment Type
- Internship
- Location
- US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121
- Posted
- Jan 18, 2026, 07:00 PM
- Listed
- Jan 19, 2026, 06:34 PM
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