Senior Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-09-22 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 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. Collins Aerospace is looking for a Senior 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 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. The ideal candidate for this role has a Software or Electrical Engineering background, experience using MATLAB or other tools to run software in the loop testing and analyze data, experience running on target hardware in the loops simulations, experience with developing certified safety critical systems, experience with system integration testing on hardware in a lab environment 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 • Lead and participate in design and program reviews to ensure team progress against milestones are met and track project schedules • Write integration and test plans; conduct and lead integration and verification testing to deliver safe high-quality solutions • Lead and participate in the engineering bid and planning process for a multi-disciplinary engineering team • 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 • Help drive resolution for technical issues through problem-solving and coordination across impacted teams and subject matter experts • Opportunity to help improve our development processes and tools • This position will require up to 15% travel Sign-on Bonus Eligible Qualifications You Must Have • Knowledge and experience with the aerospace or related industry, vehicle control, algorithm development, and experience with development and testing in a lab environment • Experience with Systems Engineering Discipline working with Requirements Based Development and Requirements Management Tools • Experience with development tool sets, for example, Jira, Subversion/Git/Version Management • 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 Qualifications We Prefer • Experience with software development with C/C++, embedded systems and real time operating systems • Experience with circuit design, testing units and systems in a lab environment and design and production phases of product development • Experience with embedded communications protocols, antennas and Flight Dynamics for Rotary and Fixed Wing Platforms • Experience in DO-178B/C processes (or similar safety-critical software development guidelines) • Experience troubleshooting and finding solutions for test equipment and automated test failures 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 • Carrot Health to hormonal 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 tea