Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Program Manager (TPM) (ONSITE

Position: Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Program Manager (TPM) (ONSITE)
Date Posted:

Country:

United States of America Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS
- Collins Rd NE BLDG 108 Position Role Type:

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

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace delivers the capabilities, portfolio, and expertise needed to solve our customers' toughest challenges and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Open Systems Solutions (OSS) Products Team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead next-generation Open System Architecture product development. This organization develops open standards-compliant modular solutions and enables rapid deployment of mission critical capabilities to the warfighter. As part of Collins Mission Systems, OSS provides advanced communications, flight and ground computing, sensors, cyber solutions, and mission system integration.

This role blends technical program leadership with hands-on systems engineering execution. The successful candidate will lead systems engineering activities, guide and mentor junior engineers, and step in directly to support analyses, integration efforts, or field and lab demonstrations as required. You will also serve as the primary technical focal point for internal leadership and military customers.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical leadership for the systems engineering team, including defining scope, breaking down work packages, assigning tasks, coaching junior engineers, and ensuring delivery of high quality engineering artifacts

• Serve as the primary technical authority for the program, guiding system architecture, major trade studies, requirements development, interface definition, and critical design decisions

• Lead planning, development, integration, demonstrations, and major engineering events, including PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer technical reviews

• Plan and execute project level work to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives, collaborating closely with program management and cross functional engineering teams

• Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis and support government reporting requirements

• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities, ensuring proactive resolution and communication

• Support hands-on execution when necessary, including completing engineering tasks, participating in lab and field integration events, or stepping in to deliver technical demonstrations

• Lead effective multidisciplinary working sessions and trade studies, facilitating decision-making and driving alignment across systems, hardware, software, and firmware teams

• Influence technical and operational policies, working across organizational boundaries to shape practices and engineering processes

• Coach, mentor, and review work of lower-level professionals, fostering technical growth and a strong team culture

• Up to 25% Travel Required

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with EVM and understanding of government reporting requirements

• Proven ability to plan and execute engineering work to meet schedule, cost, and performance goals

• Familiarity with Agile processes and methodologies

• Experience supporting or integrating systems engineering, software, hardware, and firmware development

• Active and transferable SECRET clearance is required prior to start date

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

• 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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (SysML, Cameo,…