Job Title: Systems EngineerJob DescriptionThis Systems Engineer role offers the opportunity to serve as a technical leader for complex, safety-critical systems, with a focus on avionics and certified flight deck solutions. You will define and refine system engineering approaches that build on existing product foundations, ensuring they meet customer and program needs while complying with rigorous certification and regulatory requirements. In this position, you will lead system definition, architecture development, and integration planning in close collaboration with hardware, software, and program teams, directly influencing product strategy and future technology roadmaps.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a system engineering technical leader, defining and refining engineering approaches that build on existing product foundations while meeting customer and program requirements.
- Lead systems engineering activities including system definition, architecture development, and integration planning in partnership with hardware, software, and program teams.
- Ensure compliance with established engineering processes, certification requirements, and program design plans throughout the product lifecycle.
- Apply avionics or complex-systems expertise to influence product strategy and contribute to technology roadmaps and future pursuits.
- Coordinate across technical teams to guide design decisions, resolve system-level issues, and shape project outcomes.
- Collaborate with global teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to support system integration and delivery of certified flight deck systems.
- Support safety-critical development activities by ensuring system designs align with relevant regulatory and certification standards.
- Present system concepts, architecture trade-offs, and integration plans to leadership and cross-functional partners to gain alignment and drive decisions.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years of experience.
- Leadership experience in developing certified aerospace systems or other complex regulated systems.
- Proven ability to create or contribute to system architectures and collaborate effectively across multiple engineering domains.
- Knowledge of avionics certification or regulatory requirements such as TSO, DO-160, DO-254, and DO-178B/C.
- Strong systems engineering expertise, including system definition, architecture development, and integration planning.
- Experience working on certification projects in highly regulated technical environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Background in optics, display technology, electronics, or hardware/software integration.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
- Effective influencing skills when coordinating across teams or presenting to leadership.
- Ability to work with global teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment and successful project execution.
- Interest in developing advanced systems-engineering and strategic planning capabilities within safety-critical avionics development.
Work EnvironmentThis is an office-based role supporting complex, safety-critical systems development in a structured engineering environment. You will work closely with hardware, software, and program teams, as well as global partners and suppliers, using modern engineering tools and processes tailored to certified aerospace and regulated systems. The environment emphasizes collaboration, adherence to established engineering and certification processes, and regular cross-functional communication to ensure successful system integration and delivery. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $60.00 - $65.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.