Principal DSP FPGA/ASIC Engineer

Date Posted: 2026-01-12
Country: United States of America
Location: HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA | 400 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA
Position Role Type: Onsite
Security Clearance: DoD Clearance: Secret

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required

About the Role

Joining Collins Aerospace isn't just about finding a job; it's about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology. 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.

RTX Corporation is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal DSP FPGA/ASIC Engineer to join our Applied Research and Technology team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. You will play a critical role in designing, developing, and implementing cutting-edge signal processing algorithms on FPGA and ASIC platforms. Your work will contribute to the development of advanced aerospace and defense systems, leveraging your expertise in Simulink modeling, algorithm development, and implementation on FPGAs and ASICs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement signal processing algorithms for FPGA or ASIC based systems
• Utilize Simulink for modeling and simulation of signal processing systems and workflows
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, test, and validate DSP algorithms for real-world applications
• Optimize FPGA implementations to meet performance, power, and size constraints
• Conduct system-level analysis and testing to ensure adherence to project requirements
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to the overall technical roadmap of the team
• Work closely with hardware, software, and systems engineers to integrate signal processing solutions into larger systems
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in FPGA technologies and signal processing methodologies to ensure RTX remains at the forefront of innovation

Required Qualifications

• 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
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required
• Strong expertise in Simulink and/or MATLAB for modeling and simulation of DSP systems
• Proficient in VHDL/Verilog for FPGA/ASIC design and implementation
• Demonstrated experience with algorithm development for signal processing applications such as filtering, modulation, demodulation, and spectral analysis
• Familiarity with FPGA platforms such as AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), or others, and associated toolchains (e.g., Vivado, Quartus)
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills for FPGA/ASIC and DSP systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces and protocols (e.g., DDR, PCIe, Ethernet)
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills with the ability to work in a collaborative environment
• Familiarity with HDL Coder and generation of HDL from model-based designs
• Background in aerospace, defense, or mission-critical systems
• Understanding of hardware-software co-design principles

About Our Team

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.

Benefits

• 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 including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, and ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance and 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!

Compensation

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 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.

Additional Information

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.