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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE) - **Company:** RTX - **Location:** Sterling, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $118,300.0 - $224,900.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), Algorithm Design, Data Analysis, Systems Engineering, JIRA, Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), Communications Protocols, Programming Tools, MATLAB, Motion Planning, Real-Time Operating Systems, Requirements Management, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Subversion, System Integration Testing, Systems Integration, Git, Deployment Automation, Software Version Control, GNSS - **Published:** September 24, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/5D5DD411DFD540E5B54B77D42064CFF7/job/ ## About the Role The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required., * Experience with software development with C/C++, embedded systems and real time operating systems * Experience with development tool sets, for example, Jira, Subversion/Git/Version Management * Knowledge and experience with the aerospace or related industry, vehicle control, algorithm development, and experience with development and testing in a lab environment * 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 Qualifications We Prefer * Experience evaluating inertial, air data and magnetometer sensors * Working knowledge of the Systems Engineering Discipline * Working knowledge and experience with GNSS, DGNSS, RTK and WAAS * Experience working with Requirements Based Development and Requirements Management Tools * Experience with embedded communications protocols, antennas and Flight Dynamics for Rotary and Fixed Wing Platforms * Experience troubleshooting and finding solutions for test equipment and automated test failures * Experience in developing system level solutions that integrate multiple systems into a single offering ## Description Collins Aerospace is looking for a Principal 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 Principal 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. You will be asked to apply your knowledge in the following areas to a variety of products/applications that are relevant to both military and commercial industries: * System dynamics and state estimation (linear/nonlinear, navigation/PNT, cooperative PNT, distributed PNT, inertial sensor modeling, oscillator modeling) * Guidance (path planning, mission planning, cooperative teaming, tactical maneuvering) * Control (Fixed Wing, VTOL, HVTOL, Rotorcraft) * Perception (Classification, Identification, SLAM, Feature tracking, Automatic Target Recognition) This role requires a focus on innovation and strong execution with extensive experience developing, integrating and testing software for safety critical embedded systems. The ideal candidate for this role has an embedded and application software development 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 and experience with system integration testing on hardware in a lab environment. 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 software design, system design and program reviews to ensure team progress against milestones are met and tracking project schedules * Write integration and test plans; conduct and lead integration and verification testing to deliver safe high-quality solutions * Lead and manage 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 ## Related Videos - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Robots are coming into the wild! 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