Tactical Data Link Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:
2026-05-21
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108
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
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.
As a Senior Software Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA, you will work on advanced data layer and orchestration technologies that enable distributed autonomous systems to operate in complex tactical environments. This role focuses on developing mission-adaptive software, real-time intelligence workflows, and resilient decision-support capabilities that allow platforms to seamlessly share, prioritize, and act on critical information in DDIL (Denied, Disconnected, Intermittent, and Latent) environments.
You will contribute to advanced architectures supporting cross-platform coordination, autonomous mission execution, dynamic information flow, and resilient system behaviors across highly integrated aerospace and defense platforms. This is an opportunity to work on high-impact technologies that are shaping the future of autonomous operations and next-generation mission systems.
What You Will Do

• Design and implement adaptive data layer components that manage how mission-critical information is collected, processed, prioritized, and shared across distributed autonomous platforms in communications-limited environments
• Develop platform processing pipelines that apply machine learning-based analytics and sensemaking to transform raw sensor data into actionable mission intelligence at the tactical edge
• Build decentralized orchestration and coordination capabilities enabling multi-platform collaboration, dynamic task distribution, sensing workload management, and resilient mission execution
• Implement mission-adaptive routing, synchronization, and information flow logic optimized for DDIL operational environments
• Develop intelligent decision-support mechanisms using predictive analytics, reinforcement learning-inspired behaviors, and value-of-information methodologies
• Support integration, simulation, and validation activities within laboratory and faster-than-real-time experimentation environments to evaluate orchestration performance and system adaptability under realistic mission conditions
• Collaborate across engineering teams to develop scalable, resilient autonomous system architectures supporting next-generation aerospace and defense missions

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 developing software in languages such as Python, C++, Go, or Rust
• Experience working with APIs, machine-to-machine communication frameworks, or cross-platform system integration
• Experience developing or deploying containerized applications using technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, or similar orchestration platforms

Qualifications We Prefer

• Distributed systems experience (data processing, event-driven or microservices, or low-latency architectures in constrained environments)
• Experience integrating AI/ML or analytics into operational or real-time software systems
• Experience with autonomous systems, multi-agent coordination, or mission-aware software architectures
• Experience working in communications-constrained, distributed, or resilient system environments
• Experience with modeling/simulation tools (AFSIM, RCADE) and/or DoD mission interfaces and standards (UDL, OMS, etc.)

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
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!
Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn't be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers - a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).
Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn't shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.
Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way - the right way - to achieve what others can only dream of.
*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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