Senior Principal Engineer - Foundation Software (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-07-08 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: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required 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. Do you want to be part of an innovative, forward thinking, highly motivated engineering design team? The Next Generation Processing Foundational Software team is focused on the development of processing solutions that can be applied across a wide variety of Avionics products in safety critical commercial and military applications. Our team is responsible for the development, certification and sustainment of these processing and graphics solutions. The foundation software team has an opening for a highly experienced technical leader responsible for architecting, implementing, and validating the platform control unit software. This role spans silicon-level initialization, bootloader development, secure boot, trusted execution environments, hardware root of trust, firmware security, and low‑level board bring‑up. It requires cross‑functional leadership with hardware, systems, and software teams. What You Will Do: Define the architecture, requirements, and technical roadmap for PCU firmware and low‑level platform software Lead a team through the design and implementation of secure boot, hardware root‑of‑trust, key provisioning, and platform trust mechanisms Guide bring‑up efforts for the processing platform, including bootloader initialization, BSP development, driver bring‑up, and hardware validation Provide technical leadership to a team of embedded software, security, and hardware‑interface engineers Collaborate closely with hardware designers to define processor initialization flows, power management states, and silicon interaction models Participate in the development and review of threat modeling, security reviews, and architectural risk assessments for platform boot and control paths Drive debugging and root‑cause analysis of complex hardware–software interactions Oversee integration of PCU firmware with system software, OS, and higher‑level platform components Help to establish coding standards, design best practices, and documentation for platform and security software Serve as a technical point of contact for internal and external partners and vendors Mentor engineering teams and set technical direction for platform security Qualifications You Must Have: Knowledge of secure boot design, bootloader architecture, cryptographic trust models, and hardware security modules Extensive experience with embedded systems, firmware development, and low‑level platform software Hands‑on experience with hardware board bring‑up, processor initialization, and debugging tools (JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.) Strong proficiency in C/C++ and low‑level software development, including register‑level programming Deep understanding of processor architectures, SoC subsystems, memory interfaces, and hardware abstraction layers Experience leading engineering teams, providing architectural direction, and driving complex multi‑disciplinary tasks Strong written and verbal communication skills 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 Qualifications We Prefer: Experience with ARM TrustZone, TPM, TEE, or equivalent secure processing technologies Familiarity with Linux kernel, RTOS bring‑up, and U‑Boot or custom bootloaders Experience with security certification, compliance, or platform hardening methodologies. Background in safety‑critical or mission‑critical embedded systems 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 And more! Learn More & Apply Now! Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application 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. 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. Privacy Policy and Terms: Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms 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.