Principal Software Lead Engineer - Embedded Communications (ONSITE)

Date Posted:
2026-08-04 Country:
United States of America

Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

Position Role Type:
Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:
Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, 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.

Collins Aerospace Integrated Secure Processing Solutions (SPS) team is looking for an Principal Software Lead Engineer who is passionate about collaborating with high-performance teams to create mission-critical solutions that support Mission Systems. Our Principal Software Engineers work in an exciting, adaptive, and engaging environment, enabling rapid learning to drive success. Our software engineering teams regularly utilize a variety of skills, including requirements analysis, synthesis of new and existing architectures that meld commercial and military communication functionality, and software engineering development best practices for complex systems where the ability to execute the mission is paramount.

What You Will Do
• Drive Embedded Software Engineering Excellence: Demonstrate expert proficiency in embedded C/C++ and Python throughout all phases of software development, ensuring high-quality, reliable solutions that meet both functional and performance requirements
• Lead Technical Proposals and Program Cost Estimations: Take ownership of leading the development of technical proposals, including detailed program-level cost estimates, during the bid and proposal cycle, ensuring competitive and accurate submissions that align with project goals
• Lead and Coordinate Software Execution for Small Teams: Lead and manage the execution of software development for smaller teams, ensuring technical quality, alignment with program cost and schedule, while fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment
• Translate Customer Requirements into Comprehensive Solutions: Leverage your expertise to translate customer requirements into end-to-end system solutions, addressing technical, schedule, and cost constraints while ensuring the solution is practical, scalable, and meets client needs
• Manage Program Cost, Schedule, and Risk: Estimate, track, and communicate program performance metrics, including cost, schedule, and risk, in alignment with earned value management, ensuring programs are delivered on time and within budget
• Proactively Identify and Mitigate Risks: Use your technical expertise and best practices to identify potential risks and issues early in the development process, taking proactive measures to mitigate problems and maintain program success

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

Qualifications You Must Have
• Experience with Cost Account Management over team of engineers
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedule for a multi-year program
• Experience with Risk/Opportunity frameworks to manage complex program execution for schedule and cost constraints
• Experience Product owner duties, scope management, and backlog management
• Active and transferable SECRET clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• 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

Qualifications We Prefer
• Experience with multi-threaded real-time embedded applications
• Prior experience leading proposals and bidding exercises utilizing the SEER parametric estimation tool
• Experience with Agile development methodology
• Experience with technical leadership in an agile team framework
• Experience in TCP/IP network applications development
• Experience in UML
• Background and/or knowledge of cross domain solution

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
• This position is eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

*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.

Employee Referral Eligible

MISENG

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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