Principal Systems Engineer - SOA CAAS Test Lead
Join our Rotary Wing Platform Systems Team within Integrated Avionics Systems at Collins Aerospace. You will support the development, integration, and testing of the Special Operations Aviation (SOA) Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) across multiple rotary-wing platforms.
We are seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer to serve as the SOA CAAS Test Lead. This position requires a self-starter capable of independently leading complex test activities, solving technical problems, mentoring engineers, and working directly with our government customers.
What You Will Do:
- Lead SOA CAAS system-level test activities including requirements-based verification, robustness testing, lab integration, and aircraft testing.
- Own test planning, readiness, execution, status, and technical coordination for CAAS software releases and system updates.
- Develop and review requirements, test procedures, test plans, schedules, reports, and verification artifacts.
- Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex hardware, software, aircraft, and interface integration issues.
- Coordinate test activities across Platform Systems, software CSCIs, architecture, safety, airworthiness, program leadership, and customer stakeholders.
- Maintain and integrate Collins Aerospace and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) within system integration laboratories.
- Support aircraft ground and flight test activities, including preparation, configuration, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
- Provide technical mentorship and direction to systems and test engineers.
- Represent the SOA CAAS team in technical discussions with customers and internal engineering organizations.
- Support bids and pursuits through test planning, technical input, and engineering estimates.
- Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally, typically <10% annually, with schedule flexibility during formal test events.
What You Will Learn:
- Expand your expertise in CAAS architecture, integration, qualification, and aircraft testing.
- Lead multidisciplinary test activities from initial planning through formal verification and aircraft execution.
- Build direct relationships with government customers, operators, and test organizations. Influence future CAAS capabilities, test strategies, and the technical development of the SOA CAAS team.
- Gain extensive experience integrating complex avionics systems across Special Operations Aviation rotary-wing platforms.
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.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD SECRET security clearance after day 1.
- Experience in systems engineering, avionics integration, system verification, or requirements-based testing.
- Experience independently leading complex engineering or test activities.
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III Flight Physical.
- Collins Aerospace Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) experience.
- Avionics Test Lead, Flight Test Engineer/Director, Systems Integration Lead, or similar technical leadership experience.
- Military or civil aircraft avionics integration and test experience.
- Experience troubleshooting complex integrated avionics systems.
- Working knowledge of Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553B, and ARINC-429.
- Experience with TLDB, DOORS, PREP, JIRA, SVN, and Microsoft Office.
- Experience developing requirements, test plans/procedures, and verification artifacts.
- Experience working directly with government customers and military aircrew.
- Demonstrated technical mentorship and strong communication skills.
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, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
- And more!
This role may be eligible for relocation.