Principal Software Engineer - Tools and Enablement (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

RTX in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking an Enablement Lead for the Next Generation Processing Foundational Software team. This onsite role focuses on strategy, toolchains, and automation to empower engineers building avionics software and DO-178C DAL A compliance.

You will drive automated pipelines, containerized environments with Docker, and cross-functional collaboration to improve productivity and end-to-end workflows.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of relevant experience or an Advanced Degree.
• 5+ years leading tooling or software product teams in a safety-critical or highly regulated environment.
• Experience with Cert DevOps tools such as Bamboo, Jenkins, or GitLab.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 Cert DevOps 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Automation scripting

Python

Platform leadership

DO-178C DAL A

Cert DevOps tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree

Tools

GitLab

Jenkins

Docker

Bamboo

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 innovative, forward thinking, highly motivated engineering design team?

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

The foundation software team has an opening for anEnablement 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 acrossacomplexsubsystem. By combining deep technicalexpertisewith 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 Cert DevOps 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 EnvironmentMaintenance

• 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 Cert DevOps 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

• Strong knowledge of networking protocols (A429, CAN, AFDX, Ethernet).

• Experience implementing AI‑based tooling, workflow automation, or advanced scheduling/efficiency optimization

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 illness insurance, 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!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again.

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.

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.

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