Principal Systems Engineer - Secure TacCom

Date Posted: 2026-08-20 | Location: Cedar Rapids, IA | Onsite role | Active and transferable U.S. government-issued Secret security clearance required on day 1; U.S. citizenship is required.

About the Role

The Secure Subsystems Department is responsible for the design, test, and certification of cross-domain technologies and cryptographic products that equip warfighters to thrive in today’s multi-domain battlespace. This role collaborates with portfolio teams across the organization to capture new business and create security-hardened solutions addressing demanding customer needs. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, architecture, and design at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
• Perform functional analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation, and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Provide analyses for decomposing customer specifications and system-level requirements into sub-system and piece-part requirements, and develop verification criteria and plans for those requirements.
• Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk assessments, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total system solutions.
• Participate in bid and proposal efforts.

Requirements

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years of 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 required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Experience with Hardware and Software Integration, Validation & Verification Testing, and Qualification Testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the Scaled Agile framework.
• Exceptionally strong communication skills, with experience presenting technical data to program management and executive leadership.
• Experience with Cryptographic Hardware architecture/design, Network Encryption specifications, and test methodologies.
• Experience with tools such as DOORS, CAMEO, or similar, and software languages such as Rust and Python.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program and Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health: fertility and family planning, adoption assistance, autism benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Wellness rewards program (Healthy You Incentives).
• Virtual doctor visits: Doctor on Demand, Teladoc Medical Experts (second opinion program).
• Child and elder care services: Bright Horizons.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $107,500 – $204,500 USD. The range is a good-faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.