Principal Software Engineer - Advanced Simulation & Training Systems (Onsite)

globalhr; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Sterling, VA, is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join the SDS team. You will design and develop advanced simulation training software across multiple platforms, collaborating closely with customers and program leadership.

The role requires a strong C++ background, agile experience, and the ability to mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, classified lab environment with daily onsite work.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 8+ years of experience or Advanced Degree with 5+ years.
• Active and transferable U.S. government security clearance is required.
• Experience with C++ and agile development practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and test software on cross-functional agile teams to deliver solutions within budget, scope, and schedule constraints.
• Demonstrate ownership of objectives and mentor peers to advance technical excellence.
• Lead in software requirements capture and analysis; participate in bidding and proposal activities.

Skills

C++

Agile development

Leadership

Multithreading

Education

STEM degree

Tools

Visual Studio

Git

Linux

Windows

JIRA

Confluence

GitLab CI/CD

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-08-07

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Principal Software Engineer - Advanced Simulation & Training Systems (Onsite)

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.

Role Description:

We are searching for a Principal Software Engineer to join our team in Sterling VA within the Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS) business area.

Our teams develop and build highly realistic simulators and training systems for both military and commercial customers. We deliver highly specialized training for some of the most demanding jobs in aviation. Devices range in complexity from desktop training all the way to high fidelity weapon system and full-flight training systems including full visual motion and simulator interoperability.

In this position, you will become a technical subject matter expert for the design, implementation, and testing of complex multi-platform training device software and their associated user interfaces. This position requires a highly skilled individual who can step onto a team and quickly come up to speed on complex systems, who is also comfortable dealing with customers and program leadership. We are seeking a candidate who thrives in a team-oriented environment, demonstrates leadership qualities, and is passionate about mentoring peers and advancing technical excellence. Candidates with agile development experience and the desire to grow into agile leadership roles are strongly encouraged to apply! This position requires an active US security clearance. Most aspects of the job are done in a classified lab environment and requires a daily onsite presence.

What You Will Do:

• Design, develop, integrate, and test software on cross-functional agile teams to deliver solutions within budget, scope, and schedule constraints
• Exhibit ownership of and accountability for committed objectives
• Assist in analysis and decomposition of features
• Make and influence decisions which impact cost, schedule, and technical performance at a program level
• Highly motivated software development focal who is able to drive strong technical solutions and decision making
• Perform multi-threaded software debugging
• Work independently with limited supervision
• Mentor early-career engineering peers to advance their ability to contribute to team objectives
• Demonstrate leadership qualities in your everyday work - Be a positive focal for your team, recognize peers’ accomplishments, and help onboard junior team members.
• Perform and lead bidding and proposal activities to support the acquisition of new business
• Contribute to software and systems engineering requirements capture and analysis
• Travel to domestic and international customer sites to support training events and product installations

Qualifications You Must Have:

• 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
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
• Must have previous experience working with C++.
• Have experience with agile development practices and general software engineering design principles

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Prior experience with training simulations
• Familiarity with common training and avionics protocols (ARINC 429, ARINC 610, MIL-STD-1553, etc.)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux development environments
• Candidate exhibits leader-like qualities and has a willingness to share their knowledge and build up their peers
• Experience using Visual Studio
• Familiarity with DevSecOps and Agile development methodologies
• Strong OOP and C++ language skills including STL, Templates
• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Perl, etc.)
• Usage of source code control tools (GIT, SVN, ClearCase, etc.)
• Usage of ALM tools (JIRA, Confluence, Crucible)
• Usage of GitLab CI/CD tools within software development processes

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? 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.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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 illnessinsurance, 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 assistance
• And more!

Privacy Policy and Terms:

Click on this to read the Policy and Terms

The salary range for this role is 118,300 USD - 224,900 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.