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Senior System Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Senior System Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$52.6K

$117.2K

$165.3K

How much do senior system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior system engineer in Iowa is $117,156.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,200.00 and $134,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior System Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectSenior System EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, certifications like CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNABachelor's in Computer Science, certifications like Cisco CCNA, CCNP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining IT systems and infrastructureDesigning, deploying, and managing network infrastructure and security
Industry UsageIT, technology, enterprise environmentsTelecommunications, IT, enterprise networks
Common Search/ComparisonSenior System Engineer vs Network Engineer

While both roles require networking knowledge and certifications, Senior System Engineers focus on overall system architecture and integration, whereas Network Engineers specialize in network infrastructure and security. The roles often overlap but serve different core functions within IT teams.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Senior System Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in network architecture, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, and often holding certifications like CISSP or AWS Certified Solutions Architect can reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

What are Senior System Engineers?

Senior System Engineers are experienced IT professionals responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining complex computer systems and networks within an organization. They play a critical role in ensuring the stability, security, and scalability of IT infrastructure. Their tasks often include troubleshooting system issues, optimizing performance, overseeing upgrades, and mentoring junior engineers. Senior System Engineers typically collaborate with other IT teams and departments to support business objectives and technological needs.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior System Engineers when managing large-scale IT infrastructure projects?

Senior System Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with cross-functional teams, ensuring system scalability, and maintaining high availability during upgrades or migrations. Managing complex environments requires balancing security, performance, and compliance, all while minimizing downtime. Effective communication and proactive planning are crucial to successfully navigating these challenges and delivering robust solutions that meet organizational needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior System Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of system architecture, network administration, and troubleshooting, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and several years of experience. Familiarity with tools like VMware, Linux/Windows servers, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco, or Microsoft are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you lead teams and handle complex technical challenges. These skills are crucial for ensuring system reliability, security, and efficient operation in dynamic IT environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior System Engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, or large-scale infrastructure can earn $300,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with leadership roles, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries or companies with competitive compensation packages.

What does a senior systems engineer do?

A senior systems engineer designs, implements, and maintains complex IT infrastructure and systems to ensure reliability and performance. They troubleshoot issues, optimize system operations, and often lead projects or teams, requiring strong technical skills and knowledge of tools like virtualization, networking, and scripting.
What are the most commonly searched types of System Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of System Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Senior System Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Senior System Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior System Engineer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,156 per year, or $56.3 per hour.

Senior Systems Engineer - Tac Comm (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace

Cedar Rapids, IA

$102K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Collins Aerospace rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 249 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 71 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-07-01

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ 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 after day 1

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Our nation's security depends on the sacrifice of the men and women who defend our country. For them to do this effectively, they need the technology that keeps them a step ahead of their adversaries. This means providing secure yet technologically advanced equipment to our service personnel, fielded as quickly as possible. Our commitment is to do exactly that.

Our Mission Systems Airborne and Ground Communication Products Department is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineering professional to join our team.  As a key member of our team, you will design and develop military products ensuring safe and protected communication. You will interface with multi-discipline engineering teams to create total system solutions, addressing both domestic and international customer needs.

 If you're passionate about what you could accomplish here, we'd love to hear from you. Join the Mission Systems Airborne and Ground Communication Products Department and help shape, define, and design communication solutions that connect militaries around the world!  We are looking for talented individuals that love to problem solve and have a desire to grow and gain exposure to new skills. Our customers come from all different backgrounds, and so do our employees.

To view more on Mission Systems, click here!  

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

What You Will Do

  • Perform analysis's, architecture and design at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. 

  • Perform functional analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications. 

  • Provide analyses for the decomposition of customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements, and develop verification criteria and plans for the requirements.

  • Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.

  • Perform daily tasks in a classified and controlled lab environment.

  • Travel up to 10%.

What You Will Learn

  • You will gain Systems Engineering Requirements, Integration, Validation and Verification skills.

  • You will gain technical leadership experience, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to very influential individuals within Mission Systems that will help advance your career.

  • You will obtain invaluable experience working with our subject matter experts in addition to security and crypto certification specialists, our customer base, and cross-functional integrated product team.

  • You can take flight to becoming knowledgeable in security hardened products with exposure to the variety of business and products in an ever-evolving field. We are growing, so can you!

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 and minimum 3 years of experience.

  • Experience with the systems development process, including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, and verification/validation, and transition to production.

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

  • U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is preferred prior to start date.

  • Experience working in an Agile environment.

  • Exceptionally strong communication skills, experience presenting technical data to program management and executive leadership.

  • Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO or similar, Software Languages such as Rust and Python.

  • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering.

What We Offer:

  • 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

  • Relocation assistance may be provided

  • And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now! 

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. With 68,000 employees across 46 countries around the world, we offer an extensive flight list of opportunities to explore the depth of our organization. Join us and help build a more advanced, more autonomous, more connected, more electric and more sustainable future! 

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. 

*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 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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About Collins Aerospace

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Aviation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US

Year founded

2018