Senior Principal Systems Engineer - SMACS Program Chief (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-01-19

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

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

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

The Special Mission & Civil Systems (SMACS) organization is seeking a driven Program Chief Engineer to lead high-impact pursuits and future program execution across the Fighter, Bomber, and Trainer (FBT) portfolio. This is a fast-paced, hands-on leadership role at the forefront of defining next-generation avionics, shaping how today’s systems and technologies evolve to meet tomorrow’s mission demands.

This role operates at the intersection of engineering, programs, and customers, providing technical leadership across multiple organizations and platforms. You’ll influence a variety of programs and products while serving as a key avionics voice in complex, multi-organization efforts driving alignment, innovation, and execution from concept through delivery.

What You Will Do:

• As a member of the SMACS FBT leadership team, you’ll contribute to developing and aligning the avionics and SMACS vision, execution strategies, and plans for capturing FBT programs.
• Support the VSL leadership and Business development teams in assembling proposals and bids to respond to requests for information and proposals.
• Coordinate the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract customer inquiries and requests.
• Collaborate across all IPTs and establish working relationships with functional team members in contracts, finance, planning, engineering, supply chain, quality, digital technologies.
• Monitor and assess project risks/opportunities and develop resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer-satisfaction goals and objectives.
• Identify and implement key program metrics and drive corrective actions.
• Meets program schedules and budgets and maintains the integrated master schedules for project(s).
• Support customer program reviews, prepare for customer visits.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to all team members.
• Take initiative, work with a sense of urgency, and manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Critical thinking and problem solving in an often undefined technical and architectural space.
• Travel as needed to support the Customer (~10%).

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience.
• Systems or Software Engineering experience through all phases of development.
• Experience with financial analysis tools.
• Experience with project management tools, systems, and/or methodologies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within Engineering, Contracts, Finance, Procurement/Supply Chain, Manufacturing/Operations, Quality Management, Logistics, Data Management (CDRL support), and/or administrative functions.
• Ability to obtain a US Government Security Clearance after day 1.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active Secret Clearance (Department of Defense).
• Demonstrated Program Chief leadership experience on mid to large scale teams.
• Demonstrated pursuit, proposal and bid lead experience utilizing engineering processes (RLPM), reviews and leadership approval.
• Experience with fighter, bomber and trainer aircraft platforms and systems.

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.

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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