Principal Engineer - DSP​/Waveform; Onsite

Principal Engineer – DSP/Waveform (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Mission Systems Advanced Technology & Capabilities (ATC) is seeking a Principal Engineer to perform research & development on the waveform Technologies team in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role will contribute to and lead a large portfolio of projects—serving as design authority for Digital Signal Processing/waveform systems that operate under the most demanding conditions, rapidly developing new ideas, leading advanced technology development projects, and pursuing external funding.

• Engage in close, cross‑functional collaboration with teams across the Systems, Software, Firmware, and Hardware domains to analyze complex technical challenges, identify opportunities for innovation, and develop and implement effective, forward‑thinking solutions
• Drive the architecture, design, simulation, implementation, testing, and troubleshooting of cutting‑edge digital signal processing (DSP) and waveform solutions for communications, navigation, radar, and electronic warfare applications, including both clean‑sheet designs and system updates
• Cross‑domain communication to derive technical requirements from overarching project goals and mission needs
• Develop, champion, and pursue new ideas in advanced DSP and waveform technologies
• Connecting peers at the advanced technology level for strategic technology opportunities, and creating and delivering technical presentations to internal representatives on standard committee
• Lead external funding pursuits through Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), proposal writing and customer engagement
• Assist in shaping technical direction through the development of technology roadmaps and project concepts aligned with business objectives
• Complete assigned tasks with accountability for technical execution, cost, schedule, and design‑to‑cost
• Lead small project teams (5+ members), providing technical direction and mentorship
• Train and support less‑experienced engineers and designers
• Ability to travel up to 15%

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• Active and transferable secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• Experience with Design, Simulation, and Implementation using tools such as Math Works tool suite (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink)
• FPGA development tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Synplify)
• Experience with modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, channel modeling, and evaluating metrics such as BER/MER
• Proficiency in acquisition/tracking algorithms, filter and filter bank design, rate matching, equalization, rake receivers, etc.
• Experience with DSP/Waveform technology

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• Specialized experience in Digital Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), and communications systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Effective team collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Ability to conduct link budget analysis, assess signal impairments, and evaluate coding/spreading gain and LPI/LPD performance
• Experience with beamforming, phased array algorithms, system calibration, frame‑of‑reference conversions, and tracking techniques (e.g., Kalman filters)
• Strong background in algorithm development, simulation, and implementation using tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, Python, VHDL or other HDL languages
• AI/ML frameworks (e.g., Tensor Flow, PyTorch, Pandas)
• Large Language Model (LLM) toolsets
• System on a Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device including high‑speed digital signal lines, and complex digital subsystems
• Experience writing white papers and responding to Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
• Proven ability to lead teams or programs to successful…