Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - SIGINT Systems

Date Posted:

2026-05-15

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-CA-SAN JOSE-826 ~ 200 Holger Way ~ BLDG 826, Ast

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

TS/SCI - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Applied Signal Technology (AST) is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer with specialization in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) system development who strives for excellence and has a passion to be part of a team that strengthens our nation and improves the security of our world. 

AST provides trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions that secure the interests of the U.S. and its partners. AST’s work in areas such as high-capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications continually challenge our extraordinary engineers to resolve problems and make the world a safer place.  AST’s work environment is passionate, highly collaborative and provides engineers with the freedom to strengthen and expand their skills, explore new and creative ideas, and work closely with our nation’s finest service members all while embracing integrity, innovation, and work-life balance.

This is an ONSITE position at the San Jose, CA location.

To learn more about AST, please click the link below.

Applied Signal Technology: WHO WE ARE

What You Will Do:

• Apply your experience and talents to advance our next generation Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) solutions by:

  • Understanding customer’s requirements and CONOPS to define architectures and propose/create technical solutions,

  • Performing technical research, development, and/or leading concept demonstrations,

  • Assisting capture teams in bidding/cost estimating, contractual program planning, risk/opportunity evaluation, and contingency planning, and

  • Leading execution teams to ensure technical developments meeting program commitments and are aligned to the larger product campaign architectures.

• Travel up to 20% time typically for business and customer meetings/demonstrations, operational field support and system deployments.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of relevant prior experience

• SIGINT system development experience and subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • SIGINT sensors and/or Electronic Warfare (EW) systems

  • Advanced signals and protocols (modern digital communications, advanced modulations, wideband, low power, spread spectrum, frequency hopping, encoding, encryption)

  • RF Band systems engineering (antennas & arrays, interferometry, propagation, RF path phase calibration & compensation, RF receiver performance characteristics)

  • Digital beamforming, direction of arrival measurements and emitter location techniques

• Demonstrated experience as a technical lead on a SIGINT development program

• Experience with laboratory and field testing and system troubleshooting to the hardware, software and/or firmware unit levels.

• Strong knowledge of engineering program planning & project management processes, and cost & schedule tracking processes

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance required prior to start date.

• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience in one or more relevant technologies:

  • Model-based Systems Engineering and simulation & analysis tools (sysML/Cameo, MATLAB, etc.)

  • Architecture frameworks and open architecture computing environments (DoDAF, MOSA, SOSA, FACE, Big Iron, MORA, OMS, OCS, etc.)

  • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning applied to real-time SIGINT collection

  • Wireless communications protocols, modulations, network operations, transport structures and switching equipment.

  • Radar signal processing and analysis, pulse processing, signal identification/sorting

• Experience working in the Defense industry, the Intelligence Community, or with other U.S. Government agencies

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with Poly

What We Offer​

• 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, 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!

Learn More & Apply Now!​

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 customers succeed 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.

#AST

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 145,600 USD - 276,800 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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