Senior Principal Software Engineer - Advanced System Tools (Onsite)

RTX•Cedar Rapids, IA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer for its Advanced Systems Tools organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The role supports an expanding Product Line Software team building the foundation for future airborne software capabilities. Advanced Systems Tools develops the development ecosystem—including development kits, virtual rigs, and test rigs—that enables development, integration, verification, and configuration of avionics products and platforms. The engineer will lead architecture and development of software components, libraries, rigs, and tools for scalable, certifiable avionics platforms. The position spans the full software lifecycle and involves cross-functional collaboration to deliver solutions aligned with civil and military certification standards. The role also offers opportunities to influence system-level design, advance open architecture initiatives, and contribute to future aerospace technologies. This position is primarily onsite and may require domestic and international travel of less than 10%. U.S. citizenship is required; security clearance is not required. Relocation is eligible for this role.

Requirements

Typically, a STEM degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least 7 years of experience.
Experience designing and developing software architecture, libraries, or platform-level components.
Experience leading technical execution of projects, including customer engagement and presentations to senior stakeholders.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required, less than 10%.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience supporting DO-178 software development and certification activities, such as requirements, verification, or certification artifacts.
Experience working across cross-functional engineering and program teams to deliver complex, integrated solutions.
Experience with C++ and VxWorks.
Experience with cloud-based development environments, such as AWS.
Experience with AI-based tools and development practices.
Experience writing high-level and low-level requirements.
Experience writing test cases and automated test procedures.
Experience with civil certification DO-178 at DAL A.
Experience designing and developing avionics tools, aircraft applications, or middleware.
Familiarity with revision control concepts and tools such as Git, Subversion, and JIRA.

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture and design of core software components, libraries, and tooling aligned with avionics system requirements.
Lead technical direction and execution across development and verification activities for safety-critical software, including DO-178, DO-254, and/or DO-330.
Develop and manage software requirements, ensuring appropriate decomposition and traceability across complex systems of systems.
Develop and verify software using modern C++ and object-oriented design principles.
Own and produce certification artifacts, including DAL-A deliverables.
Lead and support certification efforts, including engagement with customers and regulatory authorities.
Conduct and contribute to peer reviews to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance throughout the lifecycle.
Collaborate with engineering, program leadership, and customers to align technical solutions with program objectives.
Travel domestically and internationally as required; travel is expected to be less than 10%.
Work primarily onsite.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
401(k) plan with employer matching and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
Tuition reimbursement program
Student Loan Repayment Program
Life insurance and disability coverage
Optional pet, home and auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, group legal, and identity theft protection coverage
Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits
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
Relocation eligibility
Potential annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation, subject to eligibility and program conditions
Paid time off and holidays
Flexible spending accounts
Flexible work schedules