Principal Systems Engineer- Athena Control Systems

Date Posted:

2026-04-01

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 is looking for a 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.  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.

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 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.

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

• 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. 

• Opportunity to improve our approaches through sharing lessons learned with the team and department. 

• Travel up to 15%.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires 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.

• A strong theoretical background in one or more of the following areas is required:

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

Qualifications We Prefer

• Empathy, curiosity, and desire to constantly improve, acquire new skills and drive for results.

• Passion for technology, business, market trends and, most specifically, adding value to the industry.

• Possesses strong