Sr Principal Systems Engineer / ICT Lead

Date Posted: 2026-08-20 | Location: West Valley City, UT (onsite) | U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with polygraph; active and existing clearance required after day one.

About the Role

Applied Signal Technology (AST), a part of Collins Aerospace and RTX, is seeking a Sr Principal Systems Engineer / ICT Lead to join a passionate, highly collaborative team delivering trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions for the U.S. Intelligence Community and its partners. This onsite role may be based in Anaheim Hills, CA; San Jose, CA; or Salt Lake City, UT.

AST’s work in high-capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications challenges engineers to solve complex problems and make the world safer. The environment fosters innovation, integrity, and work-life balance while working closely with service members and technical partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full product development lifecycle—from concept through post-delivery support and updates—across multiple customer contracts and internal projects.
• Ensure development activities meet cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Participate in internal product development reviews (requirements, design, verification/validation) for new or enhanced systems.
• Market ICT products to existing and new customers as AST expands.
• Collaborate with project/program managers and engineering teams across divisions.
• Maintain quality and configuration management of software products through established development practices.
• Address complex relationships within AST and the customer community, making decisions critical to joint business interests.
• Oversee full mission scope, including dependencies on technical partners, operational environment, and contingency planning.
• Travel up to 25% domestically to other AST locations and customer sites within the U.S.

Requirements

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in software engineering leadership, including project planning, execution, and support.
• Software/system/product development experience in one or more of the following: telecommunications, data communications, wireless communications, communications protocols, networking protocols, or digital signal processing.
• Proven discipline in engineering development and adherence to established processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cost, schedule, and technical integration, including engineering planning and project management systems (IMP/IMS).
• Experience providing technical leadership across the entire systems lifecycle.
• Experience tailoring systems engineering processes to specific programs.
• Ability to define and scope system-level technical efforts for bidding, proposal, or program execution.
• Experience managing time-critical interdependent programs and interfacing effectively with internal and external customers.
• Strong communication, presentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Leadership skills to manage across multiple disciplines in development and mission environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across multi-functional groups, organizational boundaries, and geographic locations.
• Inclusive management style with the ability to lead, motivate teams, and raise issues proactively.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the Defense industry, Intelligence Community, or other U.S. Government agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in software cost estimation, proposal development, and risk management.
• Familiarity with earned value management.
• Advanced program management certification (e.g., PMP, CAPMP, or equivalent).
• Strong emotional intelligence skills (self-awareness, self-management, empathy, social awareness, relationship management).
• Coaching, teaching, and mentoring experience.
• Proven track record of working effectively in multifaceted team environments.
• Experience with microservices architecture, distributed systems, containerized deployments, and modern cloud technologies.
• Experience across all phases of the software development lifecycle, including Agile methods and/or DevOps/DevSecOps.
• Experience with embedded software development and software/hardware integration.
• Proficiency with configuration management and defect tracking tools (e.g., Git, Jira).
• Understanding of telecommunication systems concepts and/or signal processing fundamentals.
• Active U.S. government-issued Top Secret/SCI security clearance with polygraph (within the last 24 months).

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

Pay

The salary range for this role is $132,400 – $251,600 USD. The range reflects all experience levels, and RTX considers factors such as role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills when extending an offer.