Senior Optical Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-05-19

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:

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 Collins Aerospace, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in commercial and military avionics. Our Display Products organization is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who thrives at the intersection of technology leadership, innovation, and real-world impact. If you’re energized by solving complex engineering challenges and driving next‑generation display solutions, this is the place to do it.  

You’ll help define and deliver cutting‑edge display technologies that differentiate our products, improve pilot experience, and strengthen our competitive edge across global aerospace markets. You’ll work closely with hardware, software, and optical engineering experts while leading meaningful projects from concept through certification.  

What You Will Do:

• Lead engineering efforts for small to mid‑sized display programs, driving cost, schedule, and technical execution to successful outcomes. 

• Guide and influence multi-disciplinary teams while ensuring alignment with customer and internal engineering requirements. 

• Champion design quality and compliance with Collins’ engineering processes, regulatory standards, and program plans. 

• Engage deeply in display product design, collaborating with stake holders to ensure technical excellence and product performance.  

What You Will Learn:

• Expertise in flight‑deck display development, certification processes, and the technologies that enable modern cockpit experiences. 

• Broadened leadership capabilities through cross-functional program ownership and supplier interactions. 

• Strategic-level engineering skills, enabling you to help mature and integrate next‑generation technologies into future platforms.  

• This role is on the path of becoming a Systems Engineering Architect.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field

• Proven technical experience in aerospace product development and small project management.

• Working knowledge of avionics regulations and certification standards including TSO, DO 160, DO 254, and DO 178B/C.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Optical or display engineering background, enabling strong technical decision‑making in display system design. 

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills capable of influencing across engineering groups and senior leadership levels.  

ROLE TYPE:

*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.

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.

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.  

•       And more!  

Learn More and 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.

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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