Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Platform and Foundation Software (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-07-07 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: The company will offer immigration sponsorship for this position, if needed. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role. 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. Want to lead the development of the embedded platforms that power the next generation of advanced avionics systems? The Advanced Processing Architectures Software organization delivers embedded processing solutions used across a wide range of safety‑critical commercial and military avionics applications. Our team develops, verifies, certifies, and sustains advanced processing and graphics capabilities that uphold the highest standards of reliability and performance. We are seeking a Principal Embedded Platform Software Engineer to lead the development of platform control software for next‑generation processing architectures—including advanced SoCs, MPSoCs, and custom silicon. In this role, you will shape system architecture, guide certification‑aligned development, and drive platform capabilities such as secure boot, system initialization, health monitoring, and hardware bring‑up. You will lead small engineering teams, mentor peers, and provide technical oversight across suppliers, internal partners, and cross‑functional development efforts. What You Will Do: Lead the design and development of embedded platform software for processor control, power management, system health monitoring, and hardware coordination Architect and integrate secure boot flows, platform security mechanisms, and trusted initialization paths Develop and guide implementation of low‑level drivers, HAL layers, diagnostics, and bring‑up tools for new processing hardware Drive early embedded software development using virtual platforms (simulation, emulation, FPGA prototypes) prior to hardware availability Provide technical leadership and oversight to subcontract suppliers developing bootloaders, BSPs, and secure startup software Lead integration and validation of RTOS/BSP deliverables, including Wind River Helix components Collaborate with hardware, systems, and SoC/MPSoC design teams to define hardware–software interfaces and drive architectural decisions Lead debugging and resolution of complex hardware/software interaction issues across pre‑silicon and post‑silicon phases Support certification activities by contributing to design documentation, requirements traceability, verification strategies, and safety‑critical artifacts Drive improvements in software processes, automation, pipelined build/test workflows, and development efficiency Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers, foster collaboration, and coordinate small team efforts Identify risks, propose innovative solutions, and influence long‑term platform strategy Qualifications We Require: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field Typically 8+ years of embedded software development experience Strong proficiency in C/C++ and embedded systems architecture Experience with SoC/MPSoC platform software (experience with ASIC‑based platforms strongly preferred) Demonstrated experience leading small teams or technical workstreams Experience with virtual development environments (simulation, emulation, QEMU, FPGA prototypes) Hands‑on experience with driver development, hardware bring‑up, and system initialization flows Background in avionics‑related capabilities such as system health monitoring, BIT, redundancy management, or deterministic scheduling Strong knowledge of secure boot concepts, platform security, and trusted execution fundamentals Experience working with pipelined build and test environments (CI/CD, automated build/test pipelines) Solid understanding of register‑level hardware interfaces, interrupts, and reset flows Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross‑functional teams Qualifications We Prefer: Experience with Wind River Helix RTOS or similar safety‑critical real‑time operating systems Experience contributing to or leading avionics certification or safety‑critical development processes Experience guiding early‑boot or secure startup software development Experience driving process improvements, workflow automation, or architectural modernization initiatives Experience coordinating with external suppliers or integrating third‑party bootloaders, BSPs, or RTOS deliverables 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 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. 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.