Senior Principal Systems Engineer Technical Program Manager

Position Details

Date Posted: 2026-02-13

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-139 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 139

Position Role Type: Onsite

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Requirements

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

About the Role

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer Technical Program Manager (TPM) for the Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

This organization is responsible for leading system development of next generation Open System Architecture solutions which include open standards compliant modularity products and the ability to rapidly deploy new mission critical capabilities to the warfighter. As part of Collins Mission Systems, we specialize in developing advanced communications systems, ground and flight computers, sensors, cyber and software solutions, as well as providing integration of Mission Systems.

The candidate will have unique opportunities to work directly with our military customers, engineering and program management teams and hardware and software engineers that are leading experts in their fields.

This role is located onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA and is eligible for relocation assistance.

As a TPM, you will be tasked with leading product development cycles and integrating with multi-functional teams. Successful candidates will be responsible for performing under limited supervision all tasks normally associated with the Project Engineer discipline, including bid and proposal work, operating budgets, management of program schedules and financial terms/conditions of contract. Monitors and assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer-satisfaction goals and objectives.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the primary technology and engineering focal point for leadership and the customer on various programs
• Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis on assigned programs
• Lead development, planning and executing SETR events (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc)
• Define and manage technical risks & opportunities and develop and execute mitigation plans
• Provide guidance to multidisciplined teams, leading effective working sessions and trade studies, cultivating and reinforcing group values, and identifying, analyzing and correcting technical problems
• Oversee the development of full lifecycle solutions from CONOPS to Factory Transition Work to influence within and outside of work area at an operational level regarding policies, practices, and procedures within the organization
• Coach, review, and delegate work to lower-level professionals

Qualifications You Must Have

• EVM experience and familiarity with government reporting requirements for earned value
• Experience acting as of Project Management, Control Account Management (CAM), and earned value
• Familiarity with Agile processes / methodologies
• Understanding of Engineering support for Systems Engineering, Software, Hardware, and Firmware development and collaboration
• Comfort in interacting and engaging directly with customers and external business partners
• 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
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (e.g., SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody)
• Proficiency in modeling/simulation tools (e.g., Matlab)
• Experience or exposure to leading team with applications such as Microsoft Project, Confluence/JIRA
• Effective communication skills with all levels of management, program team members, and external stakeholders
• Technical risk & opportunity management, interface definition and control
• Agile experience as a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or other Agile leadership roles
• Familiarity with bidding and project/task estimation tools (e.g., SEER products)
• Competence in peer review processes, configuration, and change management
• Understanding of military concepts of operations or radio performance standards
• Proposal support experience including writing Basis of Estimates (BOEs)
• Familiarity with design to cost / design for manufacturing methods and experience transitioning product to factory production
• Existing Special Access Program (SAP) clearance

What We Offer

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.

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.

Competitive Benefits Package

• 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!

Work Environment

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.