Systems Engineer – JPALS Precision Approach and Landing (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-08-08 | Location: Cedar Rapids, IA | Onsite role

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. An active and existing DoD Secret clearance is required after day one.

About the Role

The Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) group within Precision Navigation is seeking a Systems Engineer to contribute to various components including datalink/communications, position and time sensors, navigation algorithms, modeling, antennas, and more. This 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.

The team is responsible for architecting, designing, and developing systems that serve land, sea, and airborne domains, including datalinks, airborne computing, data processing, and GPS sensor systems.

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.
• Assist in system-level analysis, including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
• Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk analysis, and supportability/effectiveness analyses.
• Manage configuration processes, perform functional and timeline analysis, conduct 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 2 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

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

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 (up to 10 free counseling sessions).
• Wellness rewards program (Healthy You Incentives).
• Virtual doctor visits (Doctor on Demand) and second opinion program (Teladoc Medical Experts).
• Child and elder care services (Bright Horizons).
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $68,900 – $131,100 USD.