Principal Avionics Systems Network Architect (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-09-18

Country:

United States of America

Location:

HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access certain necessary systems.

Security Clearance:

None/Not Required

The Computing Products Department (CPD) at Collins Aerospace seeks a technically exceptional and forward-thinking Principal Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and integration of mission- and safety-critical networking systems for advanced avionics platforms.

As a key technical leader in our Displays, Computing & Networking Directorate, you'll be at the forefront of building the embedded networks that power everything from commercial airliners and rotorcraft to next-gen military fighters. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and deploying resilient, deterministic networks capable of handling the extreme demands of real-time flight operations.

What You Will Do:

• Architect and design deterministic and Ethernet-based networks that meet the stringent requirements of safety-critical avionics systems.
• Serve as the technical authority and point of contact for all networking-related questions across multiple programs.
• Capture and translate network-level source requirements into system architecture, interface definitions, and configuration strategies.
• Collaborate with internal networking fellows and cross-functional experts to shape the next generation of secure, fault-tolerant avionics networks.
• Lead system-level integration, troubleshooting, and verification activities in lab environments.
• Drive the development of automated test strategies and tools and ensure robust validation across network interfaces.
• Mentor other systems engineers and collaborate closely with hardware, software, and firmware teams to deliver cohesive and scalable system designs.
• Contribute to the bid and pursuit process, providing technical insight and proposal leadership for networking solutions.
• 10-25% of global travel as needed.

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.
• End-to-end systems engineering experience: requirements definition, design, integration, V&V, and deployment.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems, hardware/software interfaces, and systems integration.
• Expertise in designing and specifying deterministic network architectures, including but not limited to:
  • Ethernet-based networks (IPv4/IPv6, TSN, VLANs, QoS, multicast).
  • Deterministic legacy protocols: ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, ARINC 629
• Experience configuring and validating network components: switches, routers, NICs, gateways
• Strong background in network testing, simulation, and automated scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Familiarity with bid/pursuit process.
• Excellent interpersonal and technical communication skills, including documentation and interface negotiation
• Strong sense of ownership, mission focus, and the ability to thrive in high-reliability aerospace environments
• Experience with safety-critical development standards, such as DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754A.
• Understanding of network security, redundancy, deterministic networks, fault tolerance, and EMI/EMC in aerospace environments.
• Background in virtualized architectures, data flows, or advanced avionics bus protocols.

What We Offer:

Benefits:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:   

• 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, wellnes