Senior Systems - KC-135 Ground & Flight Test Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-08-20

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:

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:

DoD Clearance: Secret

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is the backbone of the USAF refueling fleet and is scheduled to remain so for decades to come.

This position is for an on-site Senior Systems Engineer for the KC-135 Team within the Military Avionics & Helicopters department at Collins Aerospace.  The position is required to be onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA.  The position is a Systems Engineer & Ground & Flight Test Engineer leading and enabling System Integration Lab (SIL) testing for multiple domains, as well as planning and executing aircraft ground and flight tests on United States Air Force KC-135 programs.

What You Will Do:

• Systems engineering application across multiple developmental projects, from capturing system requirements through validation & verification.
• Synthesize design, architectural, and testing information to author multiple test deliverables, to include the integrated test management plan (itmp), the aircraft test plan (atp), test point matrices, aircraft test cards, test procedures, and complex test reports.
• Ensure that all test activities are completed by the integrated test management plan (itmp), the aircraft test plan (atp), the collins aerospace technical consistent process (tcp), and other reference documents.
• Work with the Collins software and hardware teams, technical program managers, and systems leads to develop and execute detailed test plans and schedules.
• Serve as the primary Collins test representative to the government integrated test team (itt).
• Supervise and manage the kc-135 sils and test stands.  Performing sil electrical and architectural troubleshooting, repairs, and configuration in conjunction with other Collins specialties.
• Perform as the bid lead of testing efforts for proposals.
• Work with the end user customer in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Advocate for the Collins position with government test stakeholders.
• Travel to various air force bases to lead and conduct aircraft ground and flight test activities.
  • Candidate will be required to travel approximately 25% of the time, primarily domestically with some international travel.  On an intermittent basis, travel requirements may be higher.
• Physically capable of participating in ground and flight tests.  An FAA Class II medical may be required, as well as the ability to complete physiological training. 

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
• Applicant must be capable of obtaining a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Security Clearance after day 1 if needed.
• Experience and ability to effectively use Microsoft PowerPoint, Visio, and Excel to author complex deliverable products.
• Advanced understanding of cockpit instrumentation and procedures.
• Intimate knowledge of systems engineering processes and tools, and the ability to manage projects.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Dedicated to team success over individual success.
• Works successfully in team-centric environments.
• Highly self-motivated and contributing to a positive work environment.
• Adaptable and flexible to changes in assignments, responsibilities, and resources.
• Aircraft systems or test experience with military aircraft (KC-135 desirable).
• Aircraft flight test or engineering experience with military air refueling, tanker and/or receiver.
• Knowledge and experience working with avionics military and civil regulatory and certification requirements.
• Experience with Agile development method.
• Experience with Digital Engineering tools and methods.
• Knowledge in the areas of earned value and risk management.
• Experience and ability