Principal Software Engineer - Avionics Software Tools (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead the Avionics Software Tools team, delivering DO-330 qualified tools and integration solutions for avionics projects. You will guide architecture decisions and coordinate software-and-systems engineering efforts across multiple groups.

The role requires a STEM degree with extensive experience and strong proficiency in C/C++/C#, Python, and Java, plus Linux/Windows 11 expertise.

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.
• Proficient in C/C++/C#, Python, Java.
• Linux and Windows 11 experience and familiarity with operating and using software on Windows PCs.
• Experience with software engineering processes and procedures, including writing software requirements, design, testing, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for a medium to large team of software engineers in development of Avionics software tools.
• Perform project reporting and project status for team to immediate management.
• Work with aircraft systems engineers and airborne software application teams to design and deliver solutions that integrate Avionics software for prototyping, implementation and testing.

Skills

C/C++/C#

Python

Java

Linux

Windows 11

Software processes

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

DO-330 tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Country: United States of America

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

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

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.

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer for our Avionics Software Tools team based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.The Avionics Software Tools team is an Avionics tools focused team, with responsibilities for Avionics Function tools and Integrated Modular Architecture system configuration tools, delivering software for Avionics products and systems that enable engineers to design and deploy products to aircraft platforms. This engineer will work in a team of software and systems engineers driving solutions for DO-330 qualified tools, simulation and infrastructure tools for multiple avionics teams. The team supports Collins Avionics Commercial and Military platforms. Our team builds cloud and desktop environments for use in dev ops pipelines, desktop deployments and external customers that enable Avionics products used on aircraft that fly around the world.

This role is for a software technical leader that acts as lead for a medium to large team and will be expected to develop knowledge in multiple avionics software domains and lead technical approaches, understand and contribute to software architecture designs, decompose large technical challenges for their team, participate in trade studies, demonstrate project reporting skills, and work with engineering management to drive projects to completion. An ideal candidate will have systems experience or training in addition to a software engineering background.

This is an onsite role in our facilities located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and due to the global nature of our teams, business and customers, applicants to this position will be expected to collaborate with teams located in multiple geographical locations.

What You Will Do:

• Provide technical leadership for medium to large sized team of software engineers in development of Avionics software tools
• Perform project reporting and project status for team to immediate management
• Work with aircraft systems engineers and airborne software application teams to design and deliver solutions that integrate Avionics software for prototyping, implementation and testing of avionics products.
• Interact and collaborate with engineering teams across Avionics.

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.
• Proficient in one or more of the following programming languages: C/C++/C#, Python, Java.
• Linux and Microsoft Windows 11 experience and familiarity with operating and using software on Windows PCs.
• Experience with software engineering processes and procedures, including writing software requirements, software design and implementation, functional and integration testing, writing test cases and test procedures, and software delivery support.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience with DO-330 qualified tools used in certification of Avionics software
• Experience in both software and systems engineering
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, evaluate options, and develop solutions
• Ability and aptitude to learn programming languages on the job as technologies evolve.
• Familiarity with export of technical data and commodities
• Aerospace industry experience

What We Offer:

Benefits:

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

• And more!

This role may be eligible for relocation.

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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