Senior Systems Engineer – JPALS Precision Approach and Landing (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-08-08
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (Onsite)
U.S. citizenship is required; ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance is required. Active and existing clearance required after day one.

About the Role

Join the Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) group within Precision Navigation at Collins Aerospace. This team is responsible for guiding airplanes safely to the deck and works on a variety of components including datalink/communications, position and time sensors, navigation algorithms, modeling, antennas, and more. The role spans the entire Engineering Development Lifecycle, from design and requirements to validation, verification, and integration, with a significant portion of time spent hands-on in the lab.

Responsibilities

• Design brand-new Precision Approach and Landing equipment.
• Perform hands-on testing in a lab environment.
• Create, analyze, and review mechanical drawings and schematics.
• Debug Real Time Operating System Software.
• Perform analysis at all levels of the total system product, including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
• Conduct technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk analysis, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems.
• Manage configuration processes, perform functional and timeline analysis, detail trade studies, and translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Decompose customer specifications and system-level requirements into sub-system and piece-part requirements, generating verification criteria and plans.
• Coordinate with cross-functional team members to complete assignments and projects on schedule.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of the Systems Engineering Discipline.
• Knowledge of testing GPS functionality.
• Familiarity with radio transceiver architecture/design, basic radio functional component blocks, performance specifications, and test methodologies.
• Experience with high-assurance documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting lab failures and investigating product defects, including those on advanced radio communications equipment and avionics LRUs.
• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to read and debug low-level software code.
• Novice abilities in MATLAB, Simulink, or other Model-Based Systems Engineering toolsets.

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.
• 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 and Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You Incentives and wellness rewards program.
• Doctor on Demand: virtual doctor visits.
• Bright Horizons: child and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts: second opinion program.
• Relocation assistance.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $86,800 – $165,200 USD.