Principal Systems Security Engineer (Onsite - Sterling, VA)

Date Posted:

2026-10-15

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

 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.

Collins Aerospace is seeking a highly skilled Systems Security Engineer to strengthen and secure enterprise environments supporting Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance, secure network architecture, operating system administration, and cybersecurity best practices. This role requires hands-on proficiency across Windows and Linux platforms, network infrastructure, and security control implementation, along with the ability to support accreditation activities and sustain mission‑critical systems. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, securing, and optimizing infrastructure to ensure operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and performance excellence within a high‑security environment.

This role will be worked onsite in Sterling, VA and requires an active and transferrable SECRET clearance. Relocation assistance is not available.

What You Will Do:

• •Develop, implement, and maintain secure system architectures and technical solutions that meet all DoD RMF requirements, with a focus on risk reduction, automation, and control effectiveness
• •Engineer, deploy, and harden enterprise network and system solutions to ensure high security, resilience, scalability, and performance across legacy and emerging infrastructures
• •Configure, secure, and maintain Windows and Linux environments using industry best practices, approved security baselines, and automated configuration management tools
• •Create, manage, and secure Infrastructure as Code (IaC) artifacts—such as Ansible and VMWare templates—to enable repeatable, auditable, and secure system provisioning
• •Design and optimize Ansible automation workflows to enforce configuration compliance, patch management, and secure baseline deployment across multi‑platform systems
• •Support RMF accreditation activities in collaboration with the Government ISSM, including documentation development, control implementation, assessment coordination, and continuous monitoring
• •Install, configure, and troubleshoot enterprise firewalls, routers, and switches to maintain secure network segmentation, traffic integrity, and a robust defensive security posture
• •Conduct structured hardware and software testing, vulnerability analysis, and security validation to ensure secure, reliable system functionality and compliance with security standards

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
• •Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date
• •Linux or Windows experience
• •Experience with Active Directory, VMware, Administration, SIEM Tools (Splunk or Kiwi), backup and recovery software, Trellix Endpoint Security and Tenable

Qualifications We Prefer:

• •Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification requirements (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification and an Operating System Certification)
• •Experience with NISPOM, JAFAN, JSIG, DFARS and/or DoD/RMF
• •Experience with data storage, NAS, and SAN technologies and solutions
• •Experience using VMWare vCenter, vSphere, and ESX and/or other virtual computing methods
• •Experience supporting engineers in software, simulations, and hardware development
• •Experience with Microsoft WSUS
• •Exchange scripting experience

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

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. This position is classified as:

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.

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 118,300 USD - 224,900 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX c