Systems Engineer (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-08-04
Location: Sterling, VA (22640 Davis Dr)
Position Type: Onsite
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. The ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance is required after day 1.

About the Role

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Systems Engineer to join the Athena Control Systems Team. This team is responsible for architecting, designing, and developing systems for safety-critical commercial and military applications, including Flight Controls, Autopilot, Engine Control, Sensing, and Estimation products for manned and unmanned systems. You will work with a team of highly motivated engineers to ensure solutions meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

Responsibilities

• Design, code, integrate, and test embedded software systems
• Generate and maintain software documentation for the software lifecycle artifacts (planning, high- and low-level requirements, architecture and design, verification test cases/procedures/results)
• Develop technical ownership of one or more components within a system
• Clearly summarize technical software issues to project leadership in a timely fashion
• Work with moderate oversight from leadership
• Maintain and perform system-level tests and report results
• Verify system functionality and performance comply with customer requirements
• Support and perform root cause analysis for reported system anomalies
• Contribute to technical discussions and communication with customers, technical leaders, and engineering team members
• This position requires up to 15% travel

Requirements

• Experience with software development using C/C++, embedded systems, and real-time operating systems
• Experience with development toolsets (e.g., Jira, Subversion/Git/Version Management)
• 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

• Knowledge and experience with the aerospace industry, sensor fusion, vehicle control, computer vision, and/or algorithm development
• Experience working with large, complex software systems and refactoring legacy code
• Experience writing software for and debugging issues in real-time multithreaded software applications
• Experience with embedded communications protocols
• Working knowledge of Systems Engineering Principles
• Experience with Requirements-Based Development and Requirements Management Tools
• Experience in DO-178B/C processes (or similar safety-critical software development guidelines)
• Experience developing safety-critical embedded systems, including software-hardware integration, reading schematics and layouts, and requirements-based system test and verification
• Working knowledge and experience with GNSS, DGNSS, RTK, and WAAS
• Experience with flight dynamics and operations for fixed-wing, rotary, and VTOL/HVTOL platforms
• Experience troubleshooting and finding solutions for test equipment and automated test failures

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
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan (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)

Pay

The salary range for this role is $75,800 – $144,200 USD.