Senior Systems Engineering Manager - Secure Systems (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-04-07

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

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

Join the Mission Systems Secure Systems Department and play a critical role in designing cutting-edge cryptographic solutions that support military communications worldwide. As a Senior Systems Engineering Manager, you will lead teams in the development of advanced cryptographic products used across the defense industry. Your expertise will shape the next generation of secure communication technologies, ensuring seamless integration across multi-disciplinary engineering teams to meet both domestic and international customer needs.

In this role, you will oversee system-level trades, requirements development, and architecture design while driving performance assessment, integration, testing, verification, and validation efforts. You will provide technical leadership in secure communications, manage projects, and support fielded products, ensuring continuous innovation in cryptographic solutions.

We are looking for a proven leader with Systems Engineering expertise, a strong understanding of the systems engineering development process, and experience managing projects and teams.

This role is on-site in Cedar Rapids, IA, or Ft Wayne, IN.

What You Will Do 

• Lead and manage a team of high-performing systems engineers, providing technical direction, mentorship, and guidance to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and strategic goals
• Oversee the development and execution of advanced systems engineering projects, applying in-depth technical expertise to drive innovation and ensure successful program delivery
• Define and implement long-term (multi-year) strategies and operational plans that contribute to business growth and project success, with direct accountability for measurable outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, systems, and tools to enhance team efficiency, product quality, and customer satisfaction
• Solve highly complex and strategic problems that require a broad understanding of multiple disciplines, sites, geographies, products, and customers
• Establish strong communication across disciplines, teams, and leadership levels to build consensus, resolve conflicts, and ensure project alignment with organizational priorities
• Influence and implement policies, practices, and procedures while driving change management initiatives to optimize processes and deliver results
• Oversee the recruitment, development, and retention of top engineering talent, including hiring, promotions, performance management, and rewards to foster a high-performing and engaged team
• Represent the team and organization in meetings with senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and successful collaboration on to achieve positive program outcomes
• Foster a culture of engagement, technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring the team remains at the forefront of industry advancements and best practices

Qualifications You Must Have 

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• Prior experience leading a team of engineers
• Experience with the systems development process, including requirements capture, design, decomposition, integration, verification/validation, and transition to production
• Prior leadership of large-scale programs throughout the full development lifecycle, with strong proficiency in project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, SAFe Agile) and financial tools such as Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Experience in hardware/software integration including system architecture and troubleshooting

Qualifications We Prefer 

• A strong preference for applicants with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
• Prior experience supporting bids and proposal efforts
• Experience with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools (CAMEO) for developing architectures and functional analysis
• Experience with NSA certification processes and working with these Government authorities
• Experience in the development of cyber-physical / embedded systems and/or cryptographic products
• Experience establishing and leveraging meaningful engineering metrics to inform decisions, improve program execution, and drive organizational performance

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  ​

• Eligible for relocation

•  And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now

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.  ​

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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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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