Principal Software Design Quality Assurance (DQA) Engineer (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vacation time

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, part of RTX, seeks an experienced Principal Software Quality Assurance Engineer to ensure design quality meets plans, standards, and regulatory requirements. You will advise project teams on trends, investigate issues, and drive corrective actions throughout development to production.

The role is onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA, with relocation assistance available and a focus on avionics design, development, and certification processes.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Experience with DO-178B/C, DO-330, DO-331, and AS9100D.
• Experience with software planning, development, and verification processes.

Responsibilities

• Audit Avionics development programs for compliance with Engineering Plans, Standards, and customer/regulatory requirements.
• Conduct Stages of Involvement (SOI) audits from planning through certification.
• Review requirements, software, test cases and other SOI artifacts to ensure alignment with program plans and standards.
• Document, track, and manage audit findings, collaborating with Engineering and program leadership to drive resolution.
• Ensure Engineering teams follow defined plans and processes throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Tailor quality management activities and plans to fit specific program needs and industry standards.
• Collaborate with Engineering to identify and resolve non‑conformances and process deviations.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance product quality and program execution.
• Present quality review activities and findings to customers and regulatory authorities

Skills

Audit

Quality assurance

Regulatory compliance

Mentoring

Education

University degree + 8 years

Advanced degree +5 years

Tools

DOORS

JAMA

JIRA

Atlassian tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-23

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

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.

The Design Quality Assurance group (DQA) is looking for an experienced Principal Software Quality Assurance Engineer who is interested in using their technical skills and experience to ensure Collins Aerospace design quality meets plans, standards, and requirements. As a DQA team member, you will help ensure new product designs meet or exceed requirements, engineering plans and development standards are followed, customer and regulatory agency requirements are understood and met, and defects are identified and eliminated prior to transition to production.

You should be capable of advising project teams and leadership of design quality trends and systemic issues, working with organizations to investigate issues, and providing recommended corrective actions as needed to achieve design and development objectives for high quality designs. This position requires the applicant to have a thorough understanding of and demonstrated experience in engineering design and development process and methods, industry standards and regulations, requirements analysis and capture, integration, test, and engineering documentation for certification.

This role will be worked onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA. Relocation assistance is available.

What You Will Do:

• Audit Avionics development programs for compliance with Engineering Plans, Standards, and customer/regulatory requirements
• Conduct Stages of Involvement (SOI) audits from planning through certification
• Review requirements, software, test cases and other SOI artifacts to ensure alignment with program plans and standards
• Document, track, and manage audit findings, collaborating with Engineering and program leadership to drive resolution
• Ensure Engineering teams follow defined plans and processes throughout the product development lifecycle
• Tailor quality management activities and plans to fit specific program needs and industry standards
• Collaborate with Engineering to identify and resolve non‑conformances and process deviations
• Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance product quality and program execution
• Present quality review activities and findings to customers and regulatory authorities

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• Experience with industry and regulatory standards such as DO‑178B/C, DO‑330, DO‑331, and AS9100D
• Experience with software planning, development, and verification processes

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience applying industry and regulatory standards such as DO‑178B/C, DO‑330, DO‑331, DO‑297, ARP4754A/B, and AS9100D to avionics design and development projects
• Experience working in an Agile development environment (e.g., SAFe)
• Experience supporting internal and external customer reviews and AS9100 audits
• Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS and JAMA
• Proficiency with Atlassian development tools (e.g., JIRA)
• Experience with configuration management systems
• Experience working directly with regulatory agencies
• Knowledge of aerospace industry practices, manufacturing processes, and associated workflows
• Experience leading or mentoring a team

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
• Carrot 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!

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.