Senior Principal Cyber Software Engineer

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

RTX is seeking a senior technical leader to guide cyber-physical security R&D initiatives in Cedar Rapids. You will manage cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and systems engineering to advance cybersecurity technologies and perform demonstrations that drive customer engagement and business impact.

The role requires leading proposals and government-sponsored research, with 10% travel and US citizenship for clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM and 10+ years of relevant experience or an Advanced Degree with 7+ years of experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
• US citizenship required for clearance eligibility
• Experience leading R&D projects from concept to technology demonstration
• 5+ years in multi-threaded embedded software (Rust, Ada, C/C++)
• 5+ years in full lifecycle software development with CM tools

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical and strategic management of novel R&D projects in cyber-physical security
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across hardware, software, communications, and systems engineering to develop cybersecurity technologies
• Deliver advanced technology demonstrations to engage customers and generate business impact
• Contribute to technical proposals and government-sponsored research execution
• Build partnerships with stakeholders across Collins Aerospace and customers for alignment
• Travel up to 10% of the time

Skills

Embedded software development

Security clearance

Leadership

Technical proposals

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Rust

Ada

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

GNU Radio

SDR platforms

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-22 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Top Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

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.

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical and strategic management of novel research and development projects in the cyber physical security
• Participate in and lead multi-disciplinary teams of hardware, software, communications, and systems engineers to develop, integrate, and evaluate new cyber security technologies
• Perform advanced technology demonstrations delivering early customer engagement, innovation, and business impact
• Participate in technical proposal preparation and the execution of government-sponsored science and technology research
• Cultivate strong partnerships with technology stakeholders across Collins business and customers to ensure collaboration and strategic alignment
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time

Qualifications

You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• Experience leading technical research and development projects from concept through technology demonstration
• 5+ years of experience developing and integrating complex, multi-threaded embedded software, Rust, Ada, C and/or C++
• 5+ years of standard full lifecycle software development practices, including the use of configuration management tools

Qualifications We Prefer

• Active U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance (SCI eligibility preferred)
• Experience with leading development of System/Software Architecture
• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization
• Experience in cybersecurity, embedded systems, cyber-physical systems, or related engineering disciplines
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical industries
• Hands-on experience with FPGA development, embedded systems, or cyber-physical platforms
• Experience designing, developing, or securing software applications using modern software development practices
• Experience with RF/radio systems and software, such as MATLAB/Simulink, GNU Radio, or SDR platforms

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
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

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.

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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 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.