Principal Software Engineer - Tools and Enablement (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

RTX's Collins Aerospace division seeks an Enablement Lead to drive platform software enablement and tooling strategy for avionics product lines. You will shape automation, CI/CD, and test environments across safety-critical developments.

You will lead a cross-functional team to implement DAL‑A compliant pipelines, containerized environments, and training programs, while advancing engineering productivity and standardization.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM and at least 8 years of relevant experience or an advanced degree.
• 5+ years leading tooling or software product development in safety-critical environments.
• Experience with CertDevOps tools such as Bamboo, Jenkins, or GitLab.
• Automation tooling frameworks, virtualization, or containerized development (Docker).
• Strong automation scripting skills (Python, Bash).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the delivery of next-generation product-line processing platforms.
• Lead integration of DAL‑A software into a GitLab-based DO‑178 lifecycle pipeline.
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines, Docker images, and testing environments.
• Develop standardized tooling, training, and automation across teams.

Skills

Python

Bash

Automation scripting

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

GitLab

Jenkins

Bamboo

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-07-08

Country: United States of America

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

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.

Do you have what it takes to develop and lead an innovative, forward thinking, highly motivated engineering design team?

The Next Generation Processing Foundational Software team is focused on the development of microchip solutions that can be applied across a wide variety of Avionics products in safety critical commercial and military applications. Our team is responsible for the development, certification and sustainment of these processing and graphics solutions.

The foundation software team has an opening for a Enablement Lead. The Platform Software Enablement and Tools Lead is a key technical leadership role responsible for driving the strategy, development, and integration of the software platforms, toolchains, and automation capabilities that power modern engineering teams. This role ensures that developers have robust, scalable, and efficient tools to build, test, and deliver high‑quality software across a complex subsystem. By combining deep technical expertise with strong cross‑functional collaboration, the Platform Software Enablement and Tools Lead serves as the central catalyst for improving engineering productivity, enhancing platform consistency, and enabling seamless end‑to‑end workflows.

What You Will Do:

Product Line Development Vision

• Architect and lead delivery of the next‑generation product line processing platform, spanning boot, application, and RTOS software.
• Ensure full compliance with DO‑178C DAL A standards across development, verification, and release.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to build efficient development processes and ensure successful platform implementation.

Automated Pipeline Integration

• Lead integration of DAL‑A software into a GitLab-based pipeline that supports the complete DO‑178 lifecycle from planning to certification.
• Develop Docker images to ensure consistent environments across cloud and target hardware.
• Apply modern CertDevOps tools such as GitLab Pipelines (or Bamboo/Jenkins), static analysis, coverage tools, requirements verification, and timing‑analysis suites.
• Optimize and maintain CI/CD pipelines to improve reliability, traceability, and development velocity.

Lifecycle Environment Maintenance

• Design, debug, and document test solutions for product‑line test environments.
• Debug avionics networking protocols.
• Oversee consistent configuration of test equipment.
• Build automation and test harnesses to accelerate verification and maintain automation.

Tools Development and Standardization

• Develop and deliver training on processes, work instructions, and best practices for automated pipelines, test environments, and tooling.
• Support development and certification of TQL‑5 tools.
• Drive standardization of test harnesses, development tools, and engineering processes.
• Create scripts to automate repetitive tasks and improve overall efficiency.
• Leverage AI capabilities to enhance engineering productivity and optimize schedules.

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
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience leading tooling or software product development teams in a safety‑critical or highly regulated environment
• Experience with CertDevOps tools such as Bamboo, Jenkins, or GitLab.
• Expertise with automated tooling frameworks, virtualization, or containerized development environments such as Docker.
• Strong proficiency in automation scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Proven experience with DO‑178C DAL A certification processes and DO‑330 tool qualification from early architecture through certification.
• Hands‑on experience with embedded software development, real‑time operating systems, or avionics processing platforms.

Qualifications We Prefer (continued):

• Strong knowledge of networking protocols (A429, CAN, AFDX, Ethernet).
• Experience implementing AI‑based tooling, workflow automation, or advanced scheduling/efficiency optimization.

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

Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time.

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.

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.

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.

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