Principal Electrical Engineer – Hardware (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-05-20

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Resilient Connectivity Products (RCP) Hardware Technologies organization is seeking a Principal Hardware Electrical Engineer to help shape the next generation of secure, high speed communication systems for ground, airborne, and space platforms. You’ll join a team building cutting-edge, high speed digital electronics that power mission critical systems—advanced software defined radios, high bandwidth data links, and secure communication platforms spanning ground, airborne, and space environments.

This is an Electrical design and leadership role where you’ll influence the architecture and development of high-speed digital circuit card assemblies (CCAs), applying knowledge of FPGAs, processors, and memory to deliver next-generation products. Strong expertise in high-speed digital PCB design, signal integrity, EMI control, manufacturability, and testability is essential. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners and will support all phases of the hardware development lifecycle—program pursuit, design, integration, verification, and factory transition.

Potential Locations: (Placement for this Onsite role is based on business need and departmental requirements; therefore, any resulting offer may be designated for any of the listed facility locations)

• Cedar Rapids, IA

• Fort Wayne, IN

What You Will Do:

• Electronic Circuit Design: Design high-speed digital Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) from requirements and schematic capture through PCB layout, integration, and production.

• Technical Mentoring: Mentor Hardware Engineers on high-speed digital design principles, PCB layout techniques, and hardware development best practices.

• SI/PI Optimization: Ensure robust signal and power integrity (SI/PI) via advanced modeling, simulation, and hardware validation.

• Design Optimization: Champion Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT) principles to ensure producible, cost-effective, and testable designs.

• Hardware Verification & Test Support: Perform hardware integration and Design Verification Testing (DVT), while providing technical support for Product Qualification Testing, factory production, and formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

• Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate across Systems, Software, and Mechanical Engineering teams while serving as the primary technical interface to align internal stakeholders, leadership and customers on program objectives.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Expertise in high-speed digital design for complex multilayer PCBs (12+ layers) with strong understanding of DFM/DFT, PCB fabrication, controlled impedance design, board assembly, and design verification testing.

• Demonstrated end to end circuit card development experience — from concept through production —requirements, schematic capture, layout, bring up, and integration.

• Proficiency with PCB design tools like Xpedition, Cadence Allegro, or Altium Designer.

• Hands on SI/PI analysis experience with tools such as HyperLynx, ADS, or SPICE.

• A degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.

• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active SECRET Security Clearance or HIGHER

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical info to non-technical stakeholders, leadership, and customers. 

• Advanced knowledge of high-speed protocols, such as PCIe, Ethernet, and high-speed memory interfaces

• Control Account Manager (CAM) experience with knowledge of the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and practices for performing cost, schedule, and risk management for hardware development projects.

• Ability to prepare estimates, bids and proposals.

• Previous experience working in a defense or aerospace company

• Experience with Agile for Hardware Development as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner, including planning, tracking, and managing hardware development projects in JIRA is a plus.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits packages include: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees

• Generous 401(k) plan that includes 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 you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, and ID theft protection

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning

• Adoption Assistance         

• Autism Benefit

• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions

• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program

• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits

• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services

• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program

• Eligible for relocation

• And more! 

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. 

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. 

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.  

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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