Senior Principal Software Engineer-Resilient Networking (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-04-30

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Join a small, high-impact team within Collins Aerospace’s Applied Research & Technology organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the development of resilient, next-generation wireless networking solutions, translating cutting-edge research into real-world capabilities deployed in the field. In this role, you will work at the intersection of innovation and application, helping move breakthrough technologies from concept to mission-ready deployment.

At Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, our Applied Research & Technology team operates as a startup-style innovation engine, where small teams are empowered to experiment, prototype, and scale ideas quickly. Within the Defense Technologies segment, you will contribute to resilient communications, secure avionics, advanced sensing, and autonomous systems, with the opportunity to validate your work in real-world environments and see it integrated into platforms that matter.

This role does not include direct people management responsibilities but will serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical leadership and guidance across engineering teams.

What You Will Do:   

• Lead the design, development, and integration of advanced resilient networking software systems and architectures that improve performance, adaptability, and survivability. 

• Lead multi-functional engineering teams (8–10 engineers) on complex research and prototype development activities, including design, build, test, and demonstration. 

• Train and oversee efforts of less experienced engineers. 

• Architect and drive execution across the full software lifecycle, from concept and modeling through implementation, integration, field demonstration, and transition to programs. 

• Frame technical problems with teammates and translate mission or customer needs into clear, testable technical objectives. 

• Design and run experiments, analyze data, and rapidly iterate on concepts, models, and prototype implementations. 

• Capture architectures, designs, and results so they can be reviewed, reused, and extended across teams. 

• Evaluate emerging technologies in resilient networking and identify opportunities for new capabilities and technology insertion. 

• Interface directly with DoD customers, academic partners, and internal stakeholders to communicate progress, shape research direction, and support proposals and keep-sold activities. 

• Drive technical strategic planning, including development of technology roadmaps and project concepts in alignment with business unit goals. 

• Travel required up to 15% time 

What You Will Learn

• Gain hands-on experience developing advanced technologies on small, agile teams that operate like a startup, with the backing of world-class labs, resources, and flight-proven systems.

• Learn how to take ideas end to end, from early concepts and threat models through prototyping, demonstrations, and transition into real products.

• Build deep expertise solving complex, open-ended challenges at the intersection of resilient networking and embedded software.

• Expand your network and knowledge by collaborating with leading engineers and researchers across Collins Aerospace, RTX, universities, national labs, and innovative small businesses.

• Develop influence in shaping future technologies by contributing to system architectures, technical roadmaps, proposals, patents, and publications.

Qualifications You Must Have: 

•  Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience

• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

• At least 8+ years embedded software development (C, C++, Rust, Python, Bash).

• Hands‑on experience in modern build systems (Make, CMake, SCons) and disciplined use of source‑control tools such as Git and SVN in complex networked or real‑time embedded environments.

• Background in embedded systems, networked applications, networking stack implementation, or BSP development. 

• Strong understanding of modern networking technologies (IPv4/IPv6, routing, multicast, NAT, TCP/UDP, OLSR, OSPF, PIM, IPSec, VPN, QoS, ACLs). 

• Experience defining system-level requirements and creating scalable, testable software architectures. 

• Experience with MANETs, Tactical Data Links, or similar distributed, constrained network systems. 

• Demonstrated ability to Lead/Mentor cross-discipline engineering teams and manage technical execution. 

Qualifications We Prefer: 

• Active DoD security clearance. 

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline. 

• Deep experience in networking stack implementation, embedded Linux, or board support packages. 

• Experience integrating embedded software with FPGA or firmware-based systems. 

• Understanding of RF concepts, waveform interactions, and cross-layer impacts on networking performance. 

• Experience with DARPA or DoD laboratory programs, including customer engagement, proposal development, and technical execution. 

• Experience writing white papers and responding to BAAs, RFIs, and RFPs. 

• Background in applying AI/ML to networking, optimization, or distributed systems. 

• Demonstrated experience transitioning advanced technology from research to products or programs.

•  Excellent communication skills and ability to convey complex concepts to stakeholders. 

What We Offer:

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

• Eligible for relocation

• And more! 

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs). Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies. Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

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. 

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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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