Director Embedded Software Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-03-31

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-179 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 179

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status 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​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Principal Systems Integration Engineer (Onsite)

At RTX, the world 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.

Job Summary:

Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Principal Systems Integration Engineer to lead complex integration and field demonstration activities supporting military customers and advanced mission‑critical systems. This role provides direct technical leadership during onsite customer engagements, field events, and multi‑domain integration efforts. The ideal candidate brings deep experience working across secure environments and thrives in hands‑on, fast‑paced operational settings.

What You Will Do:

• Lead system integration, configuration, and demonstration activities for Mission Systems products across air, ground, maritime, or multi‑domain applications.
• Coordinate integration across multidisciplinary teams including systems, software, hardware, test, networking, and cybersecurity engineering.
• Plan and execute field demonstrations, platform integrations, and customer events at various security levels (e.g., Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified, Secret, and above as required).
• Serve as the primary technical interface to U.S. and international military customers during integration, evaluation, and demonstration activities.
• Diagnose and resolve integration issues spanning hardware interfaces, embedded software, networking, communications systems, and mission‑system components.
• Develop integration plans, demonstration objectives, configuration documentation, and post‑event technical reports suitable for military programs and security‑controlled environments.
• Ensure adherence to security policies related to handling classified material, secure labs, and secure field operations.
• Mentor junior and mid‑level integration engineers, promoting disciplined integration practices aligned with team standards.
• Represent Collins Aerospace in high‑visibility mission‑effectiveness events, capability demonstrations, and customer engagements requiring technical leadership and professional communication.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• 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
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required prior to start date
• Extensive experience in Mission Systems, aerospace, defense, or military‑relevant system integration roles.
• Ability to work within multiple security domains and follow all classified handling procedures.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to brief military customers and translate complex technical concepts.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%, including to customer sites, test ranges, and field demonstration locations.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active U.S. DoD Top Secret clearance.

• Demonstrated success leading integration and demonstration activities for military systems or in secure operational environments.

• Strong troubleshooting skills across embedded systems, hardware interfaces, networking, and secure communications technologies.

• Experience supporting military platform integration (airborne, ground, maritime, or C2 systems).
• Familiarity with secure lab operations, classified networks, and cross‑domain solutions.
• Background in systems engineering, real‑time embedded software, mission networking, or advanced avionics architectures.
• Prior experience delivering high‑visibility capability demonstrations to military customers or senior stakeholders.
• Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

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.

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  
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to 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. 

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 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.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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