Principal Engineer - Software Engineering (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement program

Job summary

Prattwhitney in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to develop and support software solutions for military avionics and helicopters. The ideal candidate will lead technical decisions in a cross-functional AGILE team environment and must possess strong coding skills in C/C++ and Python.

This position requires a degree in STEM and significant experience in software development within the defense or aerospace sectors. The role includes mentorship, software design, and communication with stakeholders while adhering to rigorous quality standards.

Benefits include competitive salaries, comprehensive health coverage, and professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or Advanced Degree with 5 years.
• Experience in software design for production or consumer-facing roles.
• Defense or Aerospace industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for fixed and rotary wing platforms.
• Mentor team members on software development best practices.
• Communicate plans and status updates to Agile team members.

Skills

Software Development

AGILE Methodologies

C/C++ Coding

Python Scripting

Avionics Knowledge

DO-178 Certification

Education

Degree in STEM

Job description

Location and Eligibility

Date Posted: 2026-06-05 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-182 ~ 1100 Cimmie Ave Ne ~ BLDG 182

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Person Requirement: 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

Role Overview

Collins Aerospace is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Principal Software engineer in our Military Avionics Flight Management Applications department located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Teams are comprised of cross‑functional engineers working in an AGILE environment (approximately 6‑10 people) focused on the design and development of software only products.

The engineer that fills this role will support fixed and rotary wing platforms. This job is focused on the technical aspects of product development related to architectures as well as the design and development process. Expectations include leading technical decisions that align with the highest standards in quality while maintaining a diverse product line portfolio and customer contracts. Our experienced engineers are involved in all aspects of the product life cycle, from bid and proposal to certification and support.

Commitment may require professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30am to 4:30pm workday, or beyond a 40‑hour work week.

Product Summary

CAAS/Flight 2 Flight Management Solutions – Our signature products for Military Avionics and Helicopters as part of the Collins Integrated Avionics Systems, fielded on thousands of aircraft today. Specific capabilities include FMS (Flight Management Systems), Performance Application, System Manager, and Flight Plan Server (FPS). Please see the following links for more details: https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Integrated-Cockpit-Solutions/Common-Avionics-Architecture-System.aspx https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Integrated-Cockpit-Solutions/Flight2.aspx

Responsibilities

• Develop software for our fixed and rotary winged platforms as a member of the Flight Management Applications engineering team.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to other members of the development team in software development best practices and how to solve our hardest technical challenges.
• Implement and verify updates to the flight management software for fixed and rotary wing platforms.
• Implement and verify updates to the graphical flight planning and display software for fixed and rotary wing platforms.
• Communicate plans and status on your assigned stories to your agile team members, internal stakeholders, and external customers.
• Coordinate with the platform engineering team and other software domain teams to identify and track dependencies for shared features.
• Champion knowledge sharing, elevating department expertise through both formal training and informal mentoring.
• Willingness to travel (domestic and international <20%).

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Experience in the design and development of deliverable software (production or consumer facing) role.
• Defense or Aerospace industry experience.
• DO‑178 or similar certification‑based development experience.
• Avionics knowledge.
• AGILE development experience.
• Ada or C/C++ coding experience.
• Python scripting experience.
• Demonstrated time management skills – ability to work unsupervised, multi‑task, and coordinate work.
• Demonstrated management of the relationship between cost and value.
• Success in a team environment.
• Strong Technical Skills, specifically in systems‑based development.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal).

Benefits

Salary range: 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD.

Benefits include 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 such as 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.

Relocation

This role may be eligible for relocation.

EEO Statement

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.