Snr Principal Systems Engineer - Architect – Command & Control in Winnersh

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is seeking an experienced Senior Principal Systems Engineer – Architect – Command & Control to shape future Command & Control systems. The role is based in Winnersh, UK (Hybrid).

Why this role matters

Modern missions depend on fast, secure, and resilient information. Command & Control systems connect people, platforms, sensors, networks, and decision‑making tools in a reliable, scalable, and operationally effective way. In this role you will help define the systems that make that possible.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging and future technologies in Command & Control, including communications, networking, AI, autonomy, and information management.
• Define and develop CONEMP and CONOPS for mission systems, describing how systems will be used in real operational scenarios and deliver value at system‑of‑systems level.
• Capture, analyse and translate customer needs into clear system requirements, architectures, and technical solutions.
• Develop and assess architecture options, conduct technical trade studies, and produce clear recommendations balancing capability, cost, risk, complexity and delivery feasibility.
• Support bids and early‑stage programme activity by shaping technical solutions, delivery plans, estimates and work‑breakdown structures.
• Provide technical leadership and systems‑engineering guidance throughout the lifecycle, delivering against time, cost and quality expectations.
• Act as a technical mentor, support others in delivering high‑quality engineering outputs, and develop capability across the wider team.
• Collaborate with internal Collins teams, RTX business areas, external suppliers, Business Development, Programme Management and technical specialists to develop integrated solutions.
• Identify technical risks and mitigations, support technical governance and ensure appropriate engineering plans are followed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support design activity involving export‑controlled technologies, including awareness of US ITAR controls where applicable.

What you will bring

• Strong capability across the full engineering lifecycle, especially in early‑stage concept development, requirements definition and architecture design.
• Experience handling uncertain or evolving customer needs and shaping them into structured technical direction.
• Deep knowledge of military communication systems, heterogeneous networks, networking concepts and security functions.
• Experience defining and eliciting system and subsystem requirements, developing high‑level architectures and applying systems‑engineering methods, tools and processes to guide technical delivery.
• Ability to engage with technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, engineering teams, programme teams and business development colleagues.
• Sound engineering judgement based on requirements, constraints, risks, costs and delivery realities.

Skills and Experience

• Systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Early‑stage concept development and solution shaping.
• Requirements capture, definition and analysis.
• System architecture development.
• Military communications systems.
• Heterogeneous networks.
• Networking and security functions.
• Model‑Based Systems Engineering.
• Enterprise Architect, Cameo, IBM DOORS or similar toolsets.
• Verification and validation approaches.
• Technical trade studies and option analysis.
• Technical bid support, delivery planning and estimating.
• Technical risk identification and mitigation.
• Cross‑functional technical team coordination.
• Stakeholder communication across technical and non‑technical audiences.

Additional valuable experience

• Airborne, land or maritime system architectures.
• Aerospace, land or maritime system integration.
• Communications standards, datalinks and protocols, including Link16 C2 or information management systems.
• Autonomy within C2, networking or information management environments.
• Open or reference architectures such as MOSA, SOSA, Pyramid or MDIS.
• Routing and switching technologies, including Cisco, Aruba or Juniper SD‑WAN technologies.
• Firewalls and network security.
• Wireless networks.
• Cloud networking, including Azure or AWS.
• Microservices or cloud‑based software architectures.
• Simulation tools such as Ansys, VR Forces or EMANE.
• AI‑enabled or agentic data workflows.
• Toolsets such as Cloudera or Cloudflare.
• Configuration management.
• External network vendor or carrier engagement.
• Aerospace certification, regulation or engineering governance.
• UK MOD customer environment or MOD procurement processes.

Essential Requirements

• Degree or equivalent experience in a STEM subject.
• Significant relevant experience in systems engineering, systems architecture or complex technical solution development.
• Knowledge of the military and/or civil aerospace industry.
• Evidence of further learning or relevant training in complex communications and networks.
• Strong customer‑facing presence.
• Excellent communication, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to lead or guide technical teams and influence technical direction.
• Sound judgement when assessing integrated engineering solutions.
• SC security clearance, or ability to obtain it.
• Typically, this role requires a university degree and around 10 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with around 7 years of relevant experience. Equivalent experience will also be considered.

What you will learn

• Advanced mission system concepts across air, land and maritime domains.
• Technical road‑mapping and engineering governance in early‑stage technology development.
• Complex solution delivery with a customer‑centric focus.
• Collaboration with experts across Collins Aerospace, RTX and external partners.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays.
• Option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year.
• Generous employer contribution pension scheme with 2:1 matched contributions up to 10%.
• Private medical insurance.
• Cash plan covering dental, optical, therapy, chiropody and health screening.
• Life assurance & group income protection scheme participation.
• Professional development & growth support with professional fees.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Employee discounts and flexible benefits platform.
• Employee recognition & referral bonuses.

Equal Opportunity Statement

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.