Principal Network Systems Engineer- Active Secret (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-08-13

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121

 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

At RTX, the world's 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.

Applied Research & Technology (ART) is seeking an experienced Principal Network Systems Engineer with a background in government networks and data flows to lead the integration, testing, and field demonstration of advanced mission-critical systems for military customers. In this role, you will serve as a key technical leader during customer engagements, onsite field events, and complex multi-domain integration activities. The ideal candidate brings deep experience operating in secure environments and excels in fast-paced, hands-on operational settings where real-world performance and mission success are paramount.

As a key member of the JADC2 Experimentation, Demonstration & Integration (JEDI) Team, you’ll help customers envision the future battlespace through demonstrations and experimentation that create demand and drive early advantage for Connected Battlespace implementation. You’ll work at the forefront of emerging technology to:

Identify, prioritize, and rapidly mature emerging capabilities that address evolving mission needs.

Influence key customer requirements and validate innovative solutions through experimentation, integration, and real-world demonstrations.

Create new opportunities and drive early competitive advantage, increasing the probability of win (Pwin) for Collins technical proposals.

What You Will Do:

Lead system network integration, configuration, and demonstration activities for Mission Systems products across air, ground, maritime, or multi‑domain applications.

Plan and execute field demonstrations, platform integrations, and customer events at various security levels (e.g., Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified, Secret, and above as required).

Diagnose and resolve integration issues spanning networking configurations, hardware interfaces, embedded software, communications systems, and mission‑system components.

Develop integration plans, demonstration objectives, configuration documentation, and post‑event technical reports suitable for military programs and security‑controlled environments.

Ensure adherence to security policies related to handling classified material, secure labs, and secure field operations.

Mentor junior and mid‑level integration engineers, promoting disciplined integration practices aligned with team standards.

Represent Collins Aerospace in high‑visibility mission‑effectiveness events, capability demonstrations, and customer engagements requiring technical leadership and professional communication.

Ability and willingness to travel up to 30%, including to customer sites, test ranges, and field demonstration locations.

Qualifications You Must Have:

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 U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required prior to start date

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

Extensive experience in Mission Systems, aerospace, defense, or military‑relevant system integration roles.

Demonstrated experience working across multiple security domains and adhering to classified information handling, security, and safeguarding procedures.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Excellent communication skills with the ability to brief military customers and translate complex technical concepts.

Demonstrated success leading integration and demonstration activities for military systems or in secure operational environments.

Strong troubleshooting skills across embedded systems, hardware interfaces, networking, and secure communications technologies.

Experience supporting military platform integration (airborne, ground, maritime, or C2 systems).

Familiarity with secure lab operations, classified networks, and cross‑domain solutions.

Background in systems engineering, real‑time embedded software, mission networking, or advanced avionics architectures.

Prior experience delivering high‑visibility capability demonstrations to military customers or senior stakeholders.

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