📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer - RAN Deputy Chief Engineer (Onsite)
Company: RTX
Location: HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA
Job Type: On-site
Category: Systems Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-06-19
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Drive project teams to implement and mature new technology and capability into systems solutions.
Manage the development of emerging technologies and differentiators into Networking and Gateway solutions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical roadmaps with business needs and engineering inputs.
Ensure logical and systematic conversion of customer requirements into total systems solutions.
Estimating, tracking, and communicating cost, schedule, risks, and opportunities in support of program earned value metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong systems engineering background, with a focus on managing projects and driving technology development. Familiarity with DoD open systems architecture and experience in collaborative environments are essential.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Project Management: Lead and coordinate projects with cross-functional engineering teams, including technical aspects and program cost and schedule.
Technical Development: Work directly with Value Stream Leaders to align IRAD technical roadmaps to emerging business needs/opportunities and engineering inputs on technical differentiators.
Customer Requirements Management: Ensure the logical and systematic conversion of customer requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
Earned Value Management: Capable of estimating, tracking, and communicating cost, schedule, risks, and opportunities in support of program earned value metrics.
Agile Development: Follow Agile development methods to organize and lead effective Performance Increment Planning Events.
Staffing Planning: Work with Product Owners to plan, forecast, and communicate staffing demand to engineering resource leaders.
Review Leadership: Support monthly and quarterly PMR and EAC reviews with cross-functional leadership.
Team Leadership: Lead an effective cadence with an IPT.
Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances.
Risk Management: Apply best practices to identify issues, potential problems, and risk.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a high degree of project management and technical leadership, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt decision-making based on situational circumstances.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: 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 or in absence of a degree, 12 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

Demonstrated Systems or Software Engineering experience through all phases of development.
Experience working effectively in highly collaborative environments.
Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM).
Explicit knowledge of the Collins Resilient Autonomous Networking technical baseline and architecture.

Required Skills:

Strong project management skills.
Familiarity with DoD open systems architecture.
Experience with Confluence and JIRA applications.
Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and customers.
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of tasks and lead technical efforts spanning multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

Top Secret Security Clearance.
Prior experience with bid and proposal leadership.
Prior experience leading effective teams utilizing Agile environments.
Experience standing up or managing product lines for reuse across multiple programs and customers.
Experience with executing Research and Development / Science and Technology Programs, delivering new technologies to external customers.
Background and/or knowledge of the following technologies: CTEN, KC-135, Resilient Autonomous Networking (RAN), Rossetta, Cross Domain Solutions, Datalink Waveforms (e.g., TTNT, MUOS, Starlink, etc.).

📝 Enhancement Note: While not required, experience with emerging technologies and research and development programs can be beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Specific project case studies demonstrating systems engineering experience through all phases of development.
Examples of successful project management, including cost, schedule, and risk management.
Documentation of customer requirements management and earned value management processes.
Evidence of effective team leadership and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Technical Documentation:

Detailed project plans and schedules.
Risk management plans and mitigation strategies.
Earned value management reports and metrics.
Customer requirements management documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves managing projects and driving technology development, portfolio examples should highlight the candidate's experience in these areas.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $101,000 - $203,000 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.

Benefits:

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.
Eligible for relocation assistance.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Relocation assistance is also available for eligible candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Defense and Aerospace.
Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees).
Founded: 1953.

Team Structure:

The role is part of the Battlefield Autonomy Tactical Management and Advanced Networking (BATMAN) team, focusing on Networking and Gateway Solutions.
The team is distributed and composed of professionals from several disciplines.
The role will work side by side with the teams Principle Investigator to lead the development of a new multi-domain heterogenous networking capability from the ground up.

Development Methodology:

The role will follow Agile development methods to organize and lead effective Performance Increment Planning Events.
The role will work with Product Owners to plan, forecast, and communicate staffing demand to engineering resource leaders.
The role will support monthly and quarterly PMR and EAC reviews with cross-functional leadership.

Company Website: RTX Website

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX is a large defense and aerospace company with a strong focus on collaborative teamwork and innovation. The BATMAN team is a key part of the company's Networking and Gateway Solutions business.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior-level role with significant project management and technical leadership responsibilities. This role involves driving technology development and managing cross-functional teams.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Principle Investigator of the BATMAN team. The role will lead the development of a new multi-domain heterogenous networking capability and manage project teams.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the development of new networking capabilities and the integration of emerging technologies into the company's Networking and Gateway Solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: The role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and gain experience in managing research and development programs.
Leadership Development: The role provides experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving project success.
Architecture Decisions: The role involves making critical architecture decisions that impact the company's Networking and Gateway Solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities in technical leadership, project management, and architecture decision-making. The role's focus on emerging technologies and research and development programs also provides opportunities for technical skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with occasional travel up to 10%.

Office Location(s): HIA32: Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498-0505 USA.

Workspace Context:

The role will work in a collaborative environment with professionals from several disciplines.
The workspace will include development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices.
The role will have opportunities for cross-functional interaction and collaboration with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders.

Work Schedule: The role follows a standard work schedule, with occasional travel for project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work environment at RTX offers opportunities for collaboration and interaction with a diverse team of professionals. The role's occasional travel requirements provide flexibility for project needs.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Preparation: Brush up on systems engineering fundamentals, project management best practices, and earned value management techniques.
Agile Development: Familiarize yourself with Agile development methods and Performance Increment Planning Events.
Customer Requirements Management: Review customer requirements management processes and earned value management metrics.
Team Leadership: Prepare for team leadership and cross-functional collaboration scenarios.
Risk Management: Brush up on risk management best practices and mitigation strategies.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight specific project case studies demonstrating systems engineering experience through all phases of development.
Emphasize successful project management, including cost, schedule, and risk management.
Showcase customer requirements management and earned value management processes.
Include examples of effective team leadership and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on systems engineering fundamentals and project management best practices.
Review earned value management techniques and risk management strategies.
Prepare for Agile development methods and Performance Increment Planning Events.
Familiarize yourself with customer requirements management processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on technical skills in systems engineering, project management, and earned value management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their portfolio and demonstrate their technical expertise in these areas.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable, as this role focuses on systems engineering and project management.

Backend & Server Technologies:

DoD open systems architecture.
Resilient Autonomous Networking (RAN) technical baseline and architecture.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Confluence and JIRA applications.
Agile development methods and Performance Increment Planning Events.
Earned value management tools and metrics.
Risk management tools and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on systems engineering and project management, the technology stack is primarily composed of development and project management tools. Familiarity with DoD open systems architecture and the Resilient Autonomous Networking (RAN) technical baseline and architecture is also required.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: RTX values innovation and encourages employees to drive new technology development and capability into systems solutions.
Collaboration: RTX emphasizes collaboration and effective teamwork to achieve project success.
Customer Focus: RTX prioritizes understanding and addressing customer requirements to deliver total systems solutions.
Technical Expertise: RTX values technical proficiency and continuous learning in its employees.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including technical, design, marketing, and business teams.
Code Review Culture: The role involves leading project teams and driving technology development, requiring effective code review and peer programming practices.
Knowledge Sharing: RTX encourages knowledge sharing and technical mentoring to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX's team culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and customer focus. The role's emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing provides opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Emerging Technologies: Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and integrating them into the company's Networking and Gateway Solutions.
Customer Requirements: Effectively managing customer requirements and ensuring their conversion into total systems solutions.
Project Management: Balancing technical development, cost, schedule, and risk management for multiple projects simultaneously.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, including technical, design, marketing, and business teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: The role offers opportunities to gain experience in managing research and development programs and working with emerging technologies.
Leadership Development: The role provides experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving project success.
Architecture Decision-Making: The role involves making critical architecture decisions that impact the company's Networking and Gateway Solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and growth opportunities in managing emerging technologies, customer requirements, and project management. The role's focus on cross-functional teamwork and architecture decision-making also provides opportunities for leadership development and technical skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Systems Engineering Fundamentals: Prepare for questions on systems engineering principles, customer requirements management, and earned value management.
Project Management: Brush up on project management best practices, risk management strategies, and Agile development methods.
Emerging Technologies: Familiarize yourself with emerging technologies in the defense and aerospace industry and their potential applications in Networking and Gateway Solutions.
Cross-Functional Teamwork: Prepare for questions on collaboration, communication, and leadership in cross-functional teams.

Company & Culture Questions:

RTX Culture: Research RTX's company culture, values, and mission to demonstrate your fit within the organization.
BATMAN Team: Learn about the BATMAN team's goals, projects, and team dynamics to showcase your understanding of the role's context.
Networking and Gateway Solutions: Familiarize yourself with RTX's Networking and Gateway Solutions business and its strategic importance within the company.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Project Case Studies: Highlight specific project case studies that demonstrate your systems engineering experience, project management skills, and technical leadership.
Customer Requirements Management: Showcase your ability to manage customer requirements and ensure their conversion into total systems solutions.
Emerging Technologies: Emphasize your experience with emerging technologies and their integration into Networking and Gateway Solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and drive project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for the interview process involves brushing up on systems engineering fundamentals, project management best practices, and emerging technologies in the defense and aerospace industry. Candidates should also research RTX's company culture and the BATMAN team's goals and projects to demonstrate their fit within the organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Systems Engineer - RAN Deputy Chief Engineer (Onsite) position:

Submit your application through the RTX careers portal.
Customize your resume to highlight your project management, systems engineering, and earned value management experience.
Prepare a portfolio showcasing your project case studies, customer requirements management processes, and technical leadership skills.
Research RTX's company culture, values, and the BATMAN team's goals and projects to demonstrate your fit within the organization.
Brush up on your technical skills in systems engineering, project management, and emerging technologies in the defense and aerospace industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Principal Systems Engineer - RAN Deputy Chief Engineer (Onsite)