Principal Software Lead Engineer - Embedded Communications (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Software Lead Engineer to drive embedded software excellence. This role involves leading software development, managing program cost and schedule, and translating customer requirements into scalable solutions.

Candidates should have significant experience in embedded C/C++, team leadership, and possess an active SECRET security clearance. The position comes with generous benefits including medical insurance, retirement plans, and a salary range of $107,500 - $204,500.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years relevant experience or 5 years with an advanced degree.
• Active and transferable SECRET clearance required.
• Experience in managing complex program execution over a multi-year program.

Responsibilities

• Lead software engineering excellence in embedded systems.
• Manage technical proposals and program cost estimations.
• Translate customer requirements into end-to-end solutions.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Python

Cost Account Management

Agile development methodology

Technical leadership

Education

Degree in STEM

Tools

SEER parametric estimation tool

TCP/IP development

UML

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130

Date Posted: 2026-06-04

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Collins Aerospace Integrated Secure Processing Solutions (SPS) team is looking for a Principal Software Lead Engineer who is passionate about collaborating with high-performance teams to create mission-critical solutions that support Mission Systems. The role involves expertise in embedded software, program cost estimation, team leadership, and customer requirement translation.

What You Will Do

• Drive Embedded Software Engineering Excellence: Demonstrate expert proficiency in embedded C/C++ and Python throughout all phases of software development, ensuring high-quality, reliable solutions that meet both functional and performance requirements.
• Lead Technical Proposals and Program Cost Estimations: Take ownership of leading the development of technical proposals, including detailed program-level cost estimates, during the bid and proposal cycle, ensuring competitive and accurate submissions that align with project goals.
• Lead and Coordinate Software Execution for Small Teams: Lead and manage the execution of software development for smaller teams, ensuring technical quality, alignment with program cost and schedule, while fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
• Translate Customer Requirements into Comprehensive Solutions: Leverage your expertise to translate customer requirements into end-to-end system solutions, addressing technical, schedule, and cost constraints while ensuring the solution is practical, scalable, and meets client needs.
• Manage Program Cost, Schedule, and Risk: Estimate, track, and communicate program performance metrics, including cost, schedule, and risk, in alignment with earned value management, ensuring programs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Proactively Identify and Mitigate Risks: Use your technical expertise and best practices to identify potential risks and issues early in the development process, taking proactive measures to mitigate problems and maintain program success.

Sign-on Bonus Eligible

A sign‑on bonus may be offered, contingent on position and business needs.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience with Cost Account Management over a team of engineers.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedule for a multi-year program.
• Experience with Risk/Opportunity frameworks to manage complex program execution for schedule and cost constraints.
• Experience with Product Owner duties, scope management, and backlog management.
• Active and transferable SECRET clearance required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with multi-threaded real-time embedded applications.
• Prior experience leading proposals and bidding exercises utilizing the SEER parametric estimation tool.
• Experience with Agile development methodology.
• Experience with technical leadership in an agile team framework.
• Experience in TCP/IP network applications development.
• Experience in UML.
• Background and/or knowledge of cross-domain solution.

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 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.
• Relocation assistance.
• Salary range: 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD.
• Additional benefits as outlined by the business unit and employment agreement.

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.

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.