Principal Software Engineer - Tools and Enablement (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking an Enablement Lead for Platform Software Enablement and Tools. The role focuses on strategy, development, and integration of software platforms, toolchains, and automation across engineering teams.

The candidate will lead the next-generation processing platform for avionics products, ensuring DAL A compliance, and driving modernization of CI/CD pipelines with Docker-based environments. Strong DO-178C experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM with 8+ years experience, or an Advanced Degree.
• 5+ years leading tooling or software product development teams in a safety-critical or regulated environment.
• Experience with CertDevOps tools such as Bamboo, Jenkins, or GitLab.
• Automation 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.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead delivery of the next-generation processing platform across boot, application, and RTOS software.
• Ensure DO-178C DAL A compliance across development, verification, and release.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to build efficient development processes and ensure platform success.
• Lead integration of DAL-A software into a GitLab-based pipeline supporting DO-178 lifecycle.
• Develop Docker images to ensure consistent environments across cloud and target hardware.
• Apply CertDevOps tools such as GitLab Pipelines, static analysis, coverage tools, and timing-analysis suites.
• Optimize CI/CD pipelines to improve reliability and velocity.
• Design, debug, and document test solutions for product-line environments.
• Debug avionics networking protocols.
• Configure test equipment consistently.
• Build automation and test harnesses to accelerate verification.
• Deliver training on processes, pipelines, and tooling.
• Support development and certification of TQL-5 tools.
• Drive standardization of test harnesses, tools, and processes.
• Create scripts to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.
• Leverage AI to enhance productivity and optimize schedules.

Skills

Lead tooling teams

Automation scripting

Problem solving

DevOps practices

Education

Degree in STEM

Advanced degree

Tools

Docker

GitLab

Bamboo

Jenkins

Job description

Job Details

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

Date Posted: 2026-07-08

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Person Required: Yes (lawful permanent resident or protected individual as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Security Clearance: None/Not Required

Salary Range: 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD

Role Overview

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. The foundation software team has an opening for an 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.

What You Will Do

• 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 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.
• 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.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in 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.
• 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 with employer matching 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 such as pet, home, auto, additional life, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning services
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You incentives and wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand and virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts and second opinion program

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.