Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Flexible work schedules

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Senior Embedded Platform Software Engineer to join our Advanced Processing Architectures group. You will contribute to the development of platform control software enabling secure, deterministic, and robust operation of advanced SoC devices, with opportunities to shape architecture and leadership.

You will work across core avionics functions, including early-boot software, platform security, hardware bring-up, and system health monitoring, while mentoring junior engineers and

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree with minimum 5 years experience or an Advanced Degree with minimum 3 years of experience.
• Embedded software development experience for complex SoC, including hands-on development and integration.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and embedded systems design.
• Experience developing low-level platform software such as board bring-up, HAL, diagnostics, and device drivers.
• Experience developing or integrating software within RTOS environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded platform software supporting processor control, power-management flows, and ASIC state coordination.
• Implement and integrate secure boot orchestration components, cryptographic validation routines, and platform trust enforcement.
• Design, implement, and bring up low-level drivers, HAL layers, diagnostics, and platform initialization software.
• Work with virtual development environments such as simulation, emulation, and FPGA prototypes before hardware availability.
• Review, validate, and integrate supplier deliverables into the platform software stack.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

RTOS environments

Education

STEM degree

Tools

RTOS platforms

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-30 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: The company will offer immigration sponsorship for this position, if needed. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role. 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 want to be part of an innovative, forward‑thinking, and highly motivated engineering team developing advanced avionics processing platforms? The Advanced Processing Architectures organization delivers embedded processing solutions used across a wide range of safety‑critical commercial and military avionics systems.

Our team is responsible for the development, verification, certification, and long‑term sustainment of advanced processing and graphics capabilities that support the highest standards of reliability and performance. We are seeking a Senior Embedded Platform Software Engineer to join our foundation software team. In this role, you will contribute to the development of platform control software that enables secure, deterministic, and robust operation of advanced SoC devices. You will contribute across core avionics functions such as early‑boot software, platform security, hardware bring‑up, system health monitoring, and fault detection. This position provides a clear path for growth, whether you are looking to deepen your expertise in embedded foundation software or gradually step into broader technical leadership. You will have opportunities to shape platform architecture, lead key development initiatives, and take on higher‑impact responsibilities as you master core avionics technologies.

What You Will Do

• Develop embedded platform software supporting processor control, power‑management flows, and ASIC state coordination
• Implement and integrate secure boot orchestration components, cryptographic validation routines, and platform trust enforcement
• Design, implement, and bring up low‑level drivers, HAL layers, diagnostics, and platform initialization software
• Work extensively in virtual development environments such as simulation, emulation, virtual platforms, and FPGA prototypes before hardware availability
• Work with and oversee subcontract suppliers responsible for custom bootloader and early‑boot software development
• Review, validate, and integrate supplier deliverables into the platform software stack
• Collaborate with operating system and board support package vendors to integrate and configure RTOS components
• Debug and root‑cause hardware/software interaction issues
• Work within pipelined build and test environments including automated build systems, CI/CD pipelines, and continuous testing frameworks
• Identify opportunities to optimize development workflows, improve efficiency, and introduce new tools or methods
• Document designs, contribute to coding standards, and support cross‑functional integration activities
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a positive, collaborative team dynamic

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
• Embedded software development experience for complex SoC, including hands‑on development and integration
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and embedded systems design
• Experience developing low‑level platform software such as board bring‑up, hardware abstraction layers (HAL), diagnostics, and device drivers
• Experience developing or integrating software within RTOS environments

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with secure boot, cryptographic validation, or trusted platform initialization
• Experience integrating board support package (BSP) components
• Experience working within CI/CD pipelines or automated build/test environments
• Strong hardware/software debug and root‑cause analysis skills
• Experience with high‑rigor development processes such as DO‑178B/C
• Familiarity with SoC fundamentals such as registers, interrupts, reset logic, and hardware interfaces

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.

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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry‑leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.