Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Platform and Foundation (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) plan with employer matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead embedded platform software for safety‑critical avionics applications. You will drive architecture, certification, and sustainment for both legacy and NextGen programs, guiding a diverse team of engineers.

You will collaborate with hardware and SoC design teams, ensure DO‑178 compliance, and communicate progress and risks clearly across disciplines.

Qualifications

• You must have a STEM degree or higher with extensive experience; minimum 8 years relevant experience, or an advanced degree with at least 5 years; without a degree, 12 years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in Embedded C and platform‑level software development, with a strong background in networking.
• Experience with RTOS platforms such as VxWorks, LynxOS or similar RTOS and their use in safety‑critical avionics systems.
• Experience with avionics regulatory and certification requirements; demonstrated ability to lead a team through the full software development cycle; strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of embedded platform software for legacy and NextGen programs.
• Provide technical direction during pursuit, bidding, planning, execution, and sustainment phases.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and SoC/MPSoC design teams to define hardware–software interfaces and drive architecture decisions.
• Ensure consistency with Collins Aerospace engineering processes.
• Define development plans, ensure DO-178 and other certification compliance, and lead certification audits.
• Guide teams of entry‑level to senior engineers and communicate progress, risks, and opportunities clearly.

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-07 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.

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for Avionics? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your technical expertise can make a real difference? At Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA, we're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our platform software team. You'll be leading the development, certification, and sustainment of platform software for safety-critical commercial and military applications. In this role, you'll guide a team of talented engineers, ensuring our solutions meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Joining our team means becoming part of a company that values integrity, innovation, and excellence. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and be at the forefront of Avionics Platform solutions.

What You Will Do

Lead Projects: Drive the architecture, design, and implementation of embedded platform software supporting both existing legacy systems and NextGen programs.

Provide technical leadership for Platform Software: Supplying technical direction during all program phases including pursuit, bidding, planning, execution, and sustainment.

Collaborate with hardware, systems, and SoC/MPSoC design teams to define hardware–software interfaces and drive architectural decisions.

Ensure Consistency: You will ensure consistency with Collins Aerospace technical engineering processes.

Define Development Plans: You will help define development plans, ensure compliance with DO-178 and other certification requirements, and lead certification efforts through audits.

Guide Teams: You will lead a wide range of entry‑level to highly experienced engineers.

Communicate Effectively: You will communicate technical progress, risks, opportunities, financial data, and other project management information clearly and concisely.

What You Will Learn

Certification Processes: You will gain in-depth knowledge of Avionics regulatory and certification requirements and processes.

Technical Expertise: You will enhance your technical skills in processing platforms and associated technologies.

Leadership Skills: You will develop your ability to lead and manage software development teams, making impactful decisions and solving complex problems.

Qualifications

You Must Have: Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) unless prohibited by local laws/regulations and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience or in absence of a degree, 12 years of relevant experience.

Expertise in Embedded C and platform level software development, with a strong background in networking.

Prior Experience with RTOS platforms such as VxWorks, LynxOS or similar RTOS and an understanding of their application in safety‑critical avionics systems.

Experience We Prefer: Experience with Avionics regulatory and certification requirements and processes is preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead a team through the full software development cycle in a regulated industry, preferably with experience in avionics software projects. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on software solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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.

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.

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.

Employee Referral Eligible

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.

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.