Senior Principal Software Engineer - Embedded Communications (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-08-07 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: 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: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1 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. Are you looking to make a meaningful, positive impact while advancing your career? Would you be interested in working with an industry-leading development team where you can grow your software engineering skills while learning something new!?

Collins Aerospace’s Integrated Secure Processing Solutions (SPS) team is looking for an exceptionally motivated 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

What YOU will learn:

• You will have the opportunity to learn and grow knowledge within the Cross Domain Solutions & gain niche skills, enabling you to be unique in all you do
• You will gain valuable experience & an opportunity to lead, including roles such as Subject Matter Expert, Scrum Master, Product Owner, CAM, and Software Lead
• You can take flight to becoming a subject matter expert, architect, and leader in CDS
• We are growing, so can you!

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Experience with Embedded Development using object-oriented design
• Experience with development tool sets, for example, Jira, Subversion/Git/Version Management
• 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
• 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 multi-threaded real-time embedded applications
• Active U.S. DoD security clearance
• Prior experience leading proposals and bidding exercises utilizing the SEER parametric estimation tool
• Experience with Agile development methodology
• Ability to take on the role of Scrum Master or Product Owner
• TCP/IP network applications development experience
• UML experience
• Background and/or knowledge of cross domain solutions
• Technical leadership skills to drive design, implementation, and testing for large features

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!

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.

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.