Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)

Date Posted:

2026-04-29

Country:

United States of America Location:

US-VA-STERLING-291

~ 22640 Davis Dr ~

DAVIS 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, an RTX company, is looking for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer with a passion for engineering and desire to join the Athena Control Systems Team. With a wide variety of Flight Controls, Autopilot, Engine Control, Sensing and Estimation products, the Athena Controls System Team is responsible for architecting, designing, and developing systems that serve manned and unmanned systems for commercial and military customers. As a Senior Principal Systems Engineer on the Athena Control Systems Team, you will be leading the development, certification, and maintenance of systems for safety-critical commercial and military applications. In this role, you'll work with a team of highly motivated world class engineers, ensuring our solutions meet the highest standards of quality and safety. You will be asked to apply your knowledge in the following areas to a variety of products/applications that are relevant to both military and commercial industries:

• System dynamics and state estimation (linear/nonlinear, navigation/PNT, cooperative PNT, distributed PNT, inertial sensor modeling, oscillator modeling)
• Guidance (path planning, cooperative teaming, swarm optimization, tactical maneuvering, dogfighting)
• Control (Fixed Wing, VTOL, HVTOL, Rotorcraft)
• Perception (Classification, Identification, SLAM, Feature tracking, Automatic Target Recognition) This role requires a focus on innovation & strong execution, as well as a deep theoretical understanding of estimation, control, guidance and perception theory.

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in a relevant STEM field and enjoy collaborating with a highly dynamic team of their peers. The ideal candidate for this role has a GNC background, experience using MATLAB Simulink or other simulation tools to develop control systems, experience with developing certified safety critical systems and experience with manufacturing and production of embedded electronics systems. Click on this link to learn more: https://www.rtx.com/collinsaerospace/what-we-do/industries/military-and-defense/navigation/airborne-products/attitude-and-heading-reference-system/athena-gs111r-uas-autopilot-adahrs-pnt-hub What You Will Do

• Provide project execution management including detail planning, cost account management, status and analysis, while also participating in system design and implementation activities where possible
• Lead and manage the engineering bid and planning process for a multi-disciplinary engineering team
• Collaborate across Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) on program goals, including regular interface with Value Stream Leadership and Engineering Management
• Work on multiple programs simultaneously
• Provide communication and status to relevant stakeholders
• Support verification and traceability of the system requirements
• Support peer reviews on test procedures & design documentation
• Own the development of your design approach through collaboration with subject matter experts
• Drive resolution for technical issues through problem-solving and coordination across impacted teams
• Have the opportunity to improve our approaches through sharing lessons learned with the team and department Qualifications You Must Have
• Strong theoretical background in one or more of the following areas is required: 1.

System dynamics modeling (Fixed Wing, VTOL, HVTOL, Rotorcraft) 2. State estimation (linear/nonlinear, navigation/PNT, cooperative PNT, distributed PNT, oscillator modeling) 3. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping or SLAM (lidar, radar, imu, etc) 4. Experience working with GPS in both ground and air applications 5. Guidance (tactical maneuvering, relative maneuvering, multi-platform coordinated guidance) 6. Control (linear control, nonlinear control concepts, time-critical cooperative control) 7. Machine Learning and AI concepts as they relate to perception systems, path planning, and decision making

• This position will require up to 15% travel
• 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
• Experience evaluating inertial, air data and magnetometer sensors
• Working knowledge of the Systems Engineering Discipline
• Working knowledge and experience with GNSS, DGNSS, RTK and WAAS
• Experience working with Requirements Based Development and Requirements Management Tools
• Experience with embedded communications protocols, antennas and Flight Dynamics for Rotary and Fixed Wing Platforms
• Experience troubleshooting and finding solutions for test equipment and automated test failures
• Experience investigating product defects, including those on the advanced radio communications equipment and avionics LRUs
• Experience in developing system level solutions that integrate multiple systems into a single offering
• More than 3 years of GNC experience (post degree)
• Willingness to travel and represent the company at customer sites
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) 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
• 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 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.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.