Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Date Posted: 2026-10-12 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137 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: TS/SCI Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1.

Job Description

At RTX, the world's 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 fast growing software development team focused on creating new and innovative technologies to ensure the security of connected cyber physical systems. We are seeking experienced Software Engineers with expertise in embedded systems, communications products, signal processing, or cybersecurity to join our Resilient Connectivity Products team. In this role, you'll lead cutting edge cybersecurity research, develop innovative solutions for next generation connected platforms, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve some of the industry's most complex technical challenges. Our mission is to provide new, cutting edge technologies to warfighters at the speed of relevance. The ideal candidate excels at navigating open ended problems by rapidly prototyping and iterating upon solutions. We prefer candidates with one or more of the following skillsets: real time embedded software, datalinks, waveforms, signal processing, or cybersecurity. Relevant cybersecurity skills may include knowledge of secure software development, vulnerability analysis, threat modeling, and cyber systems. You will work with cross functional engineering teams to develop, integrate, and test cybersecurity and communications solutions that protect critical aerospace and defense platforms while helping advance new technologies and capabilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Support research and development projects focused on cyber security technologies.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams of hardware, software, communications, and systems engineers to develop, integrate, and evaluate cybersecurity technologies.
• Support technology demonstrations and testing to evaluate new cybersecurity solutions and capabilities.
• Assist with technical proposal preparation and government sponsored research and development activities.
• Collaborate with technology stakeholders across Collins and with customers to support project goals and objectives.
• Travel up to 10% of the time.

Required Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 8 years of prior or relevant 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.
• Experience developing embedded software using object oriented design.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded software, communications, cybersecurity, or a related engineering discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other mission critical industries.
• Active U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance (SCI eligibility preferred).
• Experience integrating deploying software to system on a chip (SoC) hardware solutions.
• C/C++ and Python experience.
• Experience designing, developing, or securing software applications using modern software development practices.
• Exposure to working on or developing modern software development pipelines.

Work Location and Onsite Information

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. Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility. 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.

Compensation

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 also 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.

What We Offer

• 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!

About the Company

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.