Principal Software Engineer- Embedded Linux (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 123,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) with company match and lifetime

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Software Engineer in Fort Wayne, Indiana to lead design, development and integration of embedded Linux software for advanced aerospace and defense systems. You will own key areas of the Linux ecosystem, mentor engineers, and drive technical solutions across the full development lifecycle.

The role requires strong C/C++ expertise, Linux device drivers, and experience with board bring-up in a highly collaborative IPT.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)
• Minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree with 5 years of experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance eligibility
• Experience as a command line user of Linux
• Proficiency with embedded C/C++ and scripting languages
• Experience with embedded Linux device drivers and board bring-up
• Familiarity with debugging using hardware schematics, logic analyzers and Wireshark

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and enhance embedded Linux software systems
• Lead design, development and integration of software for aerospace/defense platforms
• Mentor engineers and collaborate across functional teams
• Prepare software builds for simulation, reference platforms and target hardware
• Contribute to software development processes and product quality improvements
• Contribute to engineering estimates for tasks and change requests

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Scripting (Bash/Python)

Embedded Linux device drivers

Board bring-up/Hardware integration

Debugging with logic analyzers/Wireshk

Git/SVN version control

Buildroot/Linux BSPs

Agile/DevSecOps

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Git

SVN

Buildroot

Linux BSPs

Job description

Location: US-IN-FT WAYNE-150A ~ 1010 Production Rd ~ BLDG 150A
Date Posted: 2026-08-25
Country: United States of America
Location: US-IN-FT WAYNE-150A ~ 1010 Production Rd ~ BLDG 150A
Position Role Type: Onsite
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret
Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1
Raytheon Company, Managed By Collins Aerospace Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking talented engineers to support critical programs for the U.S. military and allied international partners, helping deliver advanced technologies that safeguard national security and protect against evolving global threats.
As a Principal Software Engineer You will play a key technical role on an Integrated Program Team (IPT), leading the design, development, and integration of complex software solutions for advanced aerospace and defense systems. In this highly collaborative and hands‑on role, you will contribute across the full development lifecycle, providing technical leadership in areas such as requirements development, software architecture and design, implementation, verification, laboratory integration, troubleshooting, and system testing. You will also have the opportunity to mentor engineers, collaborate across functional teams, and help drive technical solutions that meet demanding performance, reliability, and mission requirements.

What You Will Do

• Design, develop and continuously enhance our customized Linux OS ecosystem and maintain ownership over areas such as build toolchain, kernel, root filesystem, bootloader, device drivers, and BSP for a wide variety of hardware boards.
• Contribute to the design, coding, testing, delivery and ongoing support for embedded Linux software systems.
• Participate in root cause analysis and resolution of complex hardware-software issues.
• Prepare software builds for execution in a simulation environment, reference platforms and on the target hardware.
• Understand and utilize the appropriate Collins Aerospace processes and tools during product development, resulting in increased product quality and improving customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to engineering estimates for tasks such as change requests or problem reports.

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
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Experience as a command line user of Linux
• Proficiency with embedded C/C++
• Proficiency with scripting languages (Bash and Python)
• Experience with embedded Linux device drivers
• Experience with board bring‑up and target hardware integration
• Experience with debugging and root cause investigations using hardware schematics and tools such as logic analyzer and Wireshark

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with GIT and SVN version control systems
• Experience packaging custom Linux distribution with Buildroot.
• Experience in developing and maintaining Linux BSPs for embedded systems
• Development experience Agile methodologies and DevSecOps
• Experience with industry cost estimation tools such as SEER-SEM

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 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 programDoctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

This position is eligible for relocation assistance

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

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.