Senior Systems Engineering Manager Space Datalinks (ONSITE)

Date Posted:

2026-08-07



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: TS/SCI



Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, 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.

We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineering Manager with a strong background in Space Systems Engineering to join our Mission Systems Space Datalinks Systems team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence and lead the development of advanced space communication technologies that support military operations around the globe. As a key leader within the Space Datalinks organization, you will guide teams responsible for the design and development of cutting-edge Space Datalink products that span the full spectrum of communication bands. Your work will shape the future of space communications here at Collins Aerospace.

In this role, you’ll collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver complete system solutions that meet the evolving needs of our U.S. government customers. From initial concept through deployment, you will be engaged in all aspects of the communications system lifecycle— including system-level trades, requirements development, system architecture and design, performance assessment, integration and test, verification, validation, and support of fielded products. You must have a demonstrated understanding of the systems engineering development process, previous experience leading projects or teams, and experience in communication products.

What You Will Do
    • Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers to cooperatively determine objectives and approaches to completing work
    • Set objectives and guide teams on execution/approach for achievement of result by taking ownership of the teams performance during design, development, integration, and test periods
    • Understand and explain policies, practices, and procedures
    • Responsible for proposing and executing process improvements to maximize efficiency, quality, and technical fidelity of engineering products to support interoperability and flexible, state-of-the-art architectures
    • Execute short-term (less than 1 year) operational plans or projects that have measurable contribution towards the achievement of results; projects can be people or technically focused
    • Solve process, technical, or team-related issues that may span multiple sites, geographies, or products
    • Communicate with parties within and outside of own discipline and team and to upper-level leadership
    • Provide primary input to hiring, firing, promotion, performance, and rewards decisions for direct reports in a growing department
    • Attention to technical details and meeting program delivery schedules, Bolster the team as an individual contributor as needed
    • Travel up to 10%, based on business needs 

Qualifications You Must Have
    • Experience with Agile development methodologies
    • Experience in Systems Engineering development product lifecycle
    • Experience mentoring and/or leading cross-functional technical teams to deliver project outcomes
    • Proven track record of leading teams through issue resolution or project challenges, with measurable results (e.g., reduced downtime, accelerated delivery)                
    • Proven fluency in program and project management methodologies such as Earned Value Management (EVM)
    • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
 
Qualifications We Prefer
    • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including adapting quickly to new systems or workflows
    • Experience in personnel management, Managing direct reports including tasking, timecards, training, mentoring, and performance evaluation management
    • Demonstrated experience in communications or RF products
    • Experience working space-based electronics programs
    • Experience managing risks, opportunities, cost, schedule, and staffing across multiple programs
    • Demonstrated experience leading large programs to production, through all stages of life cycle Experience and success with encrypted communications architectures and devices and data products

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

    • This position is eligible for relocation assistance
    • 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 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.  

Employee Referral Eligible

#MISENG
 

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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