Contract Principal Optical Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Date Posted:
2026-08-19
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106
Position Role Type:
Onsite
U.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-120.62
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.
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.
Are you ready to shape the future of aerospace display technology? At Collins Aerospace, we're looking for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to join our vibrant Display Products department in a role that combines innovation, leadership, and a drive for excellence. Here, learning and fun go hand-in-hand with making a significant impact in both commercial and military avionics. You'll be at the forefront of developing cost-effective, innovative display technologies that set us apart from our competitors and maximize customer satisfaction.
This role offers the opportunity to lead strategic projects, collaborating with top-tier engineers in hardware and software design to architect our future display products. If you're ready to push technological boundaries and lead in a dynamic environment, we'd love to hear from you!
What You Will Do:

• You will serve as a display system architect, responsible for creating technical approaches that build upon product line foundations, ensuring alignment with both internal and external customer expectations.
• You will lead architecture and design of display products, interfacing directly with internal business units to ensure project and organizational goals are met seamlessly.
• You will ensure compliance with Collins Consistent Engineering Processes and program/product requirements as detailed in design plans.
• You will demonstrate your technical expertise in avionics, contributing to the technology roadmap and maintaining our competitive edge in the industry.

What You Will Learn:

• You will gain deep insights into the development of certified flight deck displays and manage cutting-edge technology integration.
• You will enhance your leadership skills, driving various teams and projects that impact the aerospace sector directly.
• You will develop strategic management capabilities, learning to navigate complex project requirements and supplier dynamics in a global setting.

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.
• Leadership experience in developing certified aerospace products and managing significant technical projects.
• Demonstrated architecture creation with cross-domain collaboration for pursuits.
• Knowledge of Avionics regulatory and certification requirements: TSO, DO-160, DO-254, DO-178B/C.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Optical or displays engineering background, enhancing your ability to lead in technical discussions and decisions.
• Strong multi-mode communication skills, able to effectively coordinate across groups and influence senior management.

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!

Learn More & Apply Now!
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. 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 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.
Privacy Policy and Terms:
Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms