Date Posted:

2025-08-20

Country:

United States of America

Location:

HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

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:

DoD Clearance: Secret

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is the backbone of the USAF refueling fleet and is scheduled to remain so for decades to come.

This position is for an on-site Senior Systems Engineer for the KC-135 Team within the Military Avionics & Helicopters department at Collins Aerospace.  The position is required to be onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA.  The position is a Systems Engineer & Ground & Flight Test Engineer leading and enabling System Integration Lab (SIL) testing for multiple domains, as well as planning and executing aircraft ground and flight tests on United States Air Force KC-135 programs.

What You Will Do:

Systems engineering application across multiple developmental projects, from capturing system requirements through validation & verification.Synthesize design, architectural, and testing information to author multiple test deliverables, to include the integrated test management plan (itmp), the aircraft test plan (atp), test point matrices, aircraft test cards, test procedures, and complex test reports.Ensure that all test activities are completed by the integrated test management plan (itmp), the aircraft test plan (atp), the collins aerospace technical consistent process (tcp), and other reference documents.Work with the Collins software and hardware teams, technical program managers, and systems leads to develop and execute detailed test plans and schedules.Serve as the primary Collins test representative to the government integrated test team (itt).Supervise and manage the kc-135 sils and test stands.  Performing sil electrical and architectural troubleshooting, repairs, and configuration in conjunction with other Collins specialties.Perform as the bid lead of testing efforts for proposals.Work with the end user customer in a professional and collaborative manner.Advocate for the Collins position with government test stakeholders.Travel to various air force bases to lead and conduct aircraft ground and flight test activities.Candidate will be required to travel approximately 25% of the time, primarily domestically with some international travel.  On an intermittent basis, travel requirements may be higher.Physically capable of participating in ground and flight tests.  An FAA Class II medical may be required, as well as the ability to complete physiological training. 

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.Applicant must be capable of obtaining a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Security Clearance after day 1 if needed.Experience and ability to effectively use Microsoft PowerPoint, Visio, and Excel to author complex deliverable products.Advanced understanding of cockpit instrumentation and procedures.Intimate knowledge of systems engineering processes and tools, and the ability to manage projects.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Dedicated to team success over individual success.Works successfully in team-centric environments.Highly self-motivated and contributing to a positive work environment.Adaptable and flexible to changes in assignments, responsibilities, and resources.Aircraft systems or test experience with military aircraft (KC-135 desirable).Aircraft flight test or engineering experience with military air refueling, tanker and/or receiver.Knowledge and experience working with avionics military and civil regulatory and certification requirements.Experience with Agile development method.Experience with Digital Engineering tools and methods.Knowledge in the areas of earned value and risk management.Experience and ability to effectively use DOORS/JAMA/JIRA and ALM tool suite.

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!  

This position may be eligible for relocation to Cedar Rapids.

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.

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.

The salary range for this role is 82,000 USD - 164,000 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