Principal Software Engineer - TCMA (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Software Engineer in Huntsville, AL, to lead software architecture and develop complex features for avionics on government platforms. You will work in an Agile team, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance with defense standards.

The role requires extensive embedded real-time software experience, DoD clearance, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical solutions.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of relevant experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years.
• Must be able to obtain DoD security clearance after day 1; U.S. citizenship required.
• Experience presenting technical data to senior management and mentoring junior engineers.
• Experience supporting software engineering processes and leading technical initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead software architecture design for complex, multi-platform systems in an Agile environment.
• Develop and integrate features for avionics software used on military platforms.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure requirements are met.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded Systems

Real-time OS

Software Architecture

Agile

Leadership

System Decomposition

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced Degree (related field)

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

ALM

JIRA

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-05

Country: United States of America

Location: US-AL-HUNTSVILLE-382 ~ 420 Jan Davis Dr ~ DAVIS 382

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

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 Tactical, Communications, and Maintenance Applications (TCMA) team based in Huntsville, Alabama has new opportunities for individuals who want to grow their technical expertise on complex programs and be a part of an innovative and fast-paced avionics business area. Teams are composed of cross-functional engineers working in an AGILE environment (approximately 6-10 people) focused on the design and development of software-only products. Our team focuses on creating avionics solutions for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including the integration of various radios and surveillance equipment for domestic and international military customers.

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our TCMA team in Huntsville, Alabama. The successful candidate will lead software architecture design, develop and integrate complex features and functionality for use on multiple government platforms within an Agile framework.

What You Will Do

• Applies extensive knowledge of military waveforms to create cost effective radio control software architectures.
• Serve as a software architect to capture, analyze, decompose, translate, and create requirements for systems of high complexity including clean sheet designs.
• Lead or review technical proposal preparations and participate as a subject matter expert in internal peer and design reviews, non-advocate, and customer reviews. Assure that development products are designed to meet the applicable Collins, Business Unit, and Customer/Project requirements.
• Applies extensive software engineering technical expertise to development teams within an Agile framework.
• Fully leverages different /opposing points of view to support business strategies and emerging priorities.
• Develop and maintain incremental plans for the team to meet program milestones.
• Hands-on capabilities in both embedded systems and hosted application software development.
• Demonstrated experience with real-time, multi-threaded embedded systems applications development is highly desired especially with LynxOS and PowerPC architectures.
• Responsible for team performance against scope, schedule, and budget.
• Proactively identify and resolve impediments to enable full productivity.
• Present and support technical discussions for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure development team maintains compliance with certification requirements.
• Rewards people when they have done well and confront them directly with specific feedback when they don't demonstrate desired performance.
• Empowers others to achieve desired results and holds them accountable.
• Represents needs of customers during internal meetings to develop plans that will add value to the business and meet customer expectations.
• Focuses on assigning individuals to projects that will further develop their talent or skills.
• Is a confident presenter, articulates ideas clearly and answers questions directly in both small and large group settings.
• Considered an expert on company, industry practices and standards. Be aware of emerging industry trends relative to operating systems, processors, modeling, simulation, and development platforms. Lead Continuous Improvement projects that result in new approaches and techniques to product development. Identify gaps in technical knowledge, create training to close gaps.
• Ability to travel domestically (up to 10%).

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.
• Must have or be capable of obtaining a US Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance after day 1. Candidate selected will be subject to a government security investigation/reinstatement and must meet eligibility requirements.
• Experience presenting technical data to senior management.
• Experience identifying and advising senior leadership on strategic technical imperatives.
• Experience mentoring/leading junior engineers.
• Experience supporting strategy development to improve Software Engineering processes.
• Engineering Tool experience (JAMA, DOORS, ALM, JIRA, etc.).

Qualifications We Prefer

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Control Account Management (CAM) experience
• Surveillance standards (DO-260B, DO-317A, AIMS 1000B) Knowledge Base
• DO-178 Design Assurance Level C (DAL-C) experience
• Pro Line Fusion Display experience
• Mil-Std-1553B bus protocol experience
• Ethernet bus protocol experience (TCP/UDP)
• Military Radio and/or Surveillance Knowledge Base
• Prior experience developing software in high level languages such as C, C++, or Java
• Strong background in software development lifecycle models and processes for department of defense contracts
• Experience working on software for military applications and/or experience of working government programs
• Experience presenting to and effectively communicating with customers, all levels of engineering management, and the program team
• Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering concepts and tools such as Magic Draw CAMEO, Enterprise Architect, or equivalents.
• Bid and technical proposal preparation experience
• Highly self-motivated and contributing to a positive work environment

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

Benefits

• 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
• Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
• 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 is eligible for relocation.

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.