Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux – Foundation Software

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux to design and maintain core embedded Linux components powering airborne equipment. You will lead Linux environments, build toolchains, kernels, root filesystems, bootloaders, device drivers, and BSPs for diverse airborne hardware platforms.

You will collaborate across global teams from concept to deployment, influence system architecture, and contribute to new product development.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• Proficient Linux command‑line experience
• Previous experience working with embedded C/C++ development skills
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash and Python
• Hands‑on experience with hardware bring‑up and target hardware integration

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and enhance customized Linux‑based operating environments, including build toolchains, kernels, root filesystems, bootloaders, device drivers, and BSPs for diverse airborne hardware platforms
• Provide technical leadership for embedded Linux development activities, including design planning, code implementation, integration, testing, and long‑term sustainment
• Lead and support complex hardware–software integration efforts, performing detailed root‑cause analyses to resolve system‑level issues
• Prepare software builds for use in simulation environments, reference platforms, and target avionics hardware; ensure alignment with applicable Collins Aerospace engineering processes, safety standards, and development tools
• Generate engineering estimates for changes, enhancements, and issue resolutions; contribute to planning and execution within Agile development teams

Skills

Embedded C/C++ development

Linux command-line

Scripting: Bash and Python

Hardware bring-up

Technical leadership

Education

STEM degree (Bachelor or higher)

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Buildroot

Git

SVN

Embedded Linux development tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-22

Country: United States of America

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

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

At Collins Aerospace, we are committed to solving the most complex challenges in aviation—advancing the performance, safety, and intelligence of the airborne systems used across commercial and military platforms. Our Foundation Software organization plays a critical role in delivering the trusted, high‑integrity software layers that power next‑generation avionics systems.

We are seeking a Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux to join our Foundation Software team. In this role, you will develop and maintain core embedded Linux components supporting airborne equipment across both commercial and military avionics programs.

You will collaborate with engineering teams across multiple global sites and disciplines, working from concept through certification and deployment. This position offers the opportunity to influence system architecture, contribute to new product development, and support a wide range of avionics platforms requiring robust, secure, and mission‑ready software foundations.

What You Will Do

• Design, develop, and enhance customized Linux‑based operating environments, including build toolchains, kernels, root filesystems, bootloaders, device drivers, and board support packages (BSPs) for diverse airborne hardware platforms
• Provide technical leadership for embedded Linux development activities, including design planning, code implementation, integration, testing, and long‑term sustainment
• Lead and support complex hardware–software integration efforts, performing detailed root‑cause analyses to resolve system‑level issues
• Prepare software builds for use in simulation environments, reference platforms, and target avionics hardware; ensure alignment with applicable Collins Aerospace engineering processes, safety standards, and development tools
• Generate engineering estimates for changes, enhancements, and issue resolutions; contribute to planning and execution within Agile development teams

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• Proficient Linux command‑line experience
• Previous experience working with embedded C/C++ development skills
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash and Python
• Hands‑on experience with hardware bring‑up and target hardware integration

Qualifications We Prefer

• Previous experience with developing and maintaining BSPs for embedded systems
• Experience with version control systems including Git and SVN
• Experience building custom Linux distributions using Buildroot
• Background developing software for avionics, aerospace, defense, or other regulated/safety‑critical industries
• Contributions to open-source software projects
• Experience working in an Agile development environment
• Familiarity with the Robot Framework for automated testing
• Experience coding in Rust

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 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!

This role is eligible for relocation.

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 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.

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms