Principal Software Engineer (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-03-06

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for Avionics? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your technical expertise can make a real difference? At Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA, we're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our foundation software team. You'll be leading the development, certification, and sustainment of foundation software for safety-critical applications. In this role, you'll be responsible for managing the impacts to foundation software due to hardware obsolescence and customer driven changes to fielded products. The scope of this effort includes military avionics components utilizing PowerPC based systems using LynxOS-178 operating system. These components include ethernet nodes, commercial and high integrity ethernet switch modules. This role requires the ability to analyze requirements, software, and open problem reports. This role will also require you to manage small development teams when software updates are required.

Joining our team means becoming part of a company that values integrity, innovation, and excellence. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and be at the forefront of Avionics Platform solutions.

What You Will Do:

• Lead Projects: You will serve as the software project engineer, supplying project management and technical direction during all program phases including pursuit, bidding, planning, execution, and sustainment.
• Ensure Consistency: You will ensure consistency with Collins Aerospace technical engineering processes.
• Define Development Plans: You will help define development plans, ensure compliance with DO-178 and other certification requirements, and lead certification efforts through audits.
• Guide Teams: You will lead a wide range of entry-level to highly experienced engineers.
• Communicate Effectively: You will communicate technical progress, risks, opportunities, financial data, and other project management information clearly and concisely.

What You Will Learn:

• Technical Expertise: You will enhance your technical skills in processing platforms and associated technologies.
• Leadership Skills: You will develop your ability to lead and manage software development teams, making impactful decisions and solving complex problems.

Qualifications You 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.
• Embedded C and Foundation Level Software Experience.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• We value teamwork and team players, those who know how to work with others to accomplish a goal, and those who mentor and grow other engineers.
• We value people who demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to learn and grow, tenacity in completing tasks and meeting commitments, and an ability to adapt to change.
• We value people who show energy in their work.
• We value proactive self-starters who build sound, collaborative relationships.
• We value leadership in every role you have, the ability to guide people and break down barriers to success.

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 position may be eligible for relocation. 

Learn More & Apply Now!  

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.  

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. 

Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings. 

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.  

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day. 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 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.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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