Contract Pilot Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-07-22

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Systems Engineer within the Systems Excellence Department contributes through all phases of the product development lifecycle (i.e. systems and software requirements, system architecture and design, software integration and test, simulation and test, integration and test, verification and sell-off), within an interdisciplinary process that ensures the customer and warfighters needs are satisfied through every stage. This commitment to excellence can sometimes include opportunities for travel, and flexible hours/shifts to ensure programmatic milestones are met. 

Our team of talented engineers collaborates across disciplines from initial concepts to product sell off, integrates complex technology, debugs, and resolves interface issues, evaluates system performance, demonstrates, and sells off state-of-the-art products.  

What You Will Do

You will jump right into real avionics development that supports both commercial and military aircraft. Our team builds the display and control hardware that pilots rely on, and as a Systems Engineer you will work on both the software and hardware sides of that effort.

You will help define requirements, participate in design reviews, work through integration issues, and spend time in the lab troubleshooting and validating system behavior. It is a very hands-on role where you will see how a complete system comes together, not just one small piece. You will work closely with a team that is supportive, collaborative, and excited to help new engineers grow.

What You Will Learn

You will build a strong foundation in how modern cockpit systems are designed, tested, certified, and supported throughout their lifecycle. You will gain experience with environmental and EMI testing, hardware certification processes, and how embedded software interacts with hardware in a safety‑critical environment.

You will work with engineers across multiple disciplines, along with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and test labs. You will learn how to break down complex problems, understand how systems behave, and develop the judgment and skills that make a strong systems engineer.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) major.

• Coursework or project work related to embedded systems, avionics, or system design

• Experience with systems engineering concepts

• Experience working on team-based technical projects

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Any exposure to safety‑critical or regulated development (helpful but not required)

• Exposure to hardware or software development from classes, projects, labs, or internships

• Interest in how systems work and how hardware and software fit together

• Willingness to learn, ask questions, and take on new challenges

• Solid problem‑solving skills and the ability to stay organized when handling multiple tasks

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
• This position may be eligible for relocation  
•  And more!  

Learn More and Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies 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.

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.

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.

This 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.

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 57,200 USD - 108,800 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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