Flight Control Software Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation eligible

Job summary

Collins Aerospace’s Software Engineering Intern role in Cedar Rapids, IA offers hands-on work on flight control systems for a range of aircraft platforms. You will contribute to requirements, software architecture, and real-time embedded code, with exposure to MATLAB/Simulink and safety-critical development processes.

The internship requires pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree, at least 60 credit hours by start, and experience in C++, C, and OO design.

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in an applicable discipline and actively enrolled through completion of the internship / co-op session.
• Must have a minimum of 60 hours of credit by the start of the internship / co-op session.
• Experience developing in modern programming languages (e.g. C++; C).
• Experience with object oriented design.

Responsibilities

• Define and review software requirements for flight control systems, including interface requirements.
• Develop and implement software architecture and design from parent requirements.
• Implement control algorithms and signal processing for flight control systems, integrating MATLAB/Simulink models into a software application.
• Conduct requirements-based testing of flight controls software.

Skills

C++

C

Object oriented design

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-193 ~ 1120 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG193

Date Posted

2026-09-28

Country

United States of America

Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-193 ~ 1120 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG193

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. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status

Not Required

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do

Collins Aerospace’s FCS products have been flying and landing airplanes for over 40 years. Our customer base is a who's who of aircraft manufacturers, and they demand systems which satisfy the highest levels of criticality at the lowest cost possible. This dichotomy provides a continuous challenge to our engineering team to employ new technology and methodologies in the development of our complex systems. We are looking for a Software Engineering Intern to join our team in Cedar Rapids, IA and contribute to the development of flight control products for the next generation of business, regional, military, and air-transport fixed and rotary wing platforms. Typical functions to implement include, but aren’t limited to, flight guidance, autothrottle, autopilot, maintenance, and autoland systems. This internship represents a great opportunity to apply your software engineering skills to actual real-time embedded systems with critical safety requirements. Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee or asylee) or eligible to obtain necessary export authorizations required.

Software Engineering Intern tasks include

• Define and review software requirements for flight control systems, including interface requirements.


• Develop and implement software architecture and design from parent requirements.


• Implement control algorithms and signal processing for flight control systems. This includes writing hand-code and integrating auto-generated code from MATLAB Simulink / Stateflow models into a software application.


• Conduct requirements-based testing of flight controls software


• Support product certification by performing DO-178B/C compliant development.


• Mentor with experienced software engineers and learn about career opportunities in Flight Controls

Qualifications You Must Have

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in an applicable discipline and actively enrolled through completion of the internship / co-op session.


• Must have a minimum of 60 hours of credit by the start of the internship / co-op session.


• Experience developing in modern programming languages (e.g. C++; C)


• Experience with object oriented design

Qualifications We Prefer

• Good working knowledge of data structures and how to efficiently use them to solve problems


• Experience with agile methodologies


• Experience with model-based development in Matlab/Simulink


• Experience with or passion for avionics systems


• Experience collaborating in a team environment


• Experience communicating technical information to management, customers, and engineering team members

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.


• Relocation Eligible

Learn More

• 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.

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 37,000 USD - 82,000 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.