Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Flexible work schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering to own large enterprise software programs. The role emphasizes strategy, governance, and cross-functional leadership in avionics contexts.

The position requires a strong background in AI/ML, embedded/real-time systems, and safety-critical certification activities (ARP4754, DO-178, DO-330). Onsite work in Cedar Rapids is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in CS/EE or related field with 10+ years software experience.
• Master's degree with 7+ years in software engineering may qualify.
• 5+ years AI/ML development and deployment in avionics or safety-critical domains.
• 5+ years Python/Java/C/C++ in embedded/real-time systems.
• 5+ years avionics software development and certification (ARP4754/DO-178/DO-330).
• 3+ years DevOps CI/CD and Kubernetes-based architecture.

Responsibilities

• Provide ownership and governance for large enterprise initiatives from planning to delivery.
• Define program strategy, roadmaps, and delivery models aligned to objectives and standards.
• Make trade-off decisions on scope, schedules, budgets, and risks without hands-on coding.
• Direct cross-functional teams across engineering, quality, certification, finance, legal, and operations.
• Approve execution plans and resolve escalations to maintain momentum and compliance.
• Establish governance and quality standards for auditability and reliability.
• Provide executive reporting and strategic recommendations for portfolio decisions.

Skills

Python

Java

C/C++

AI/ML development

DevOps/CI-CD

Kubernetes

Software for safety-critical/avionics

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-09-15

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-105 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 105

Position Role Type:

Unspecified

Rockwell Collins Inc. d/b/a Collins Aerospace has an opening for a Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Joining Collins Aerospace isn't just about finding a job; it's about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology.

What YOU will do

• Provide overall ownership and execute oversight for large-scale, enterprise initiatives, from strategic planning and funding approval through governed execution and stakeholder delivery.
• Establish program strategy, multi-phase roadmaps, and delivery models, aligning initiatives with organizational objectives, regulatory expectations, and long-term technology transformation priorities.
• Exercise independent decision-making authority over scope, schedules, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management, without performing hands-on technical or individual contributor work.
• Direct and coordinate cross-functional organizations including engineering, quality, certification, finance, legal and operations by setting priorities, approving execution plans, and resolving escalations.
• Act as the final authority for program trade-offs, delivery sequencing, and change management, balancing business objectives, compliance requirements, and long-term capability development.
• Establish and enforce program-level governance, quality standards, and compliance readiness, ensuring consistency, auditability, and operational reliability across deliverables.
• Provide executive reporting and strategic recommendations that influence portfolio planning, investment decisions, risk posture, and organizational direction.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, or a related field and at least 10 years of progressive experience as a Software Engineer or related role. In the alternative, must possess at least a master’s degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, or a related field and at least 7 years of experience as a Software Engineer or related role would be acceptable.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) application development, neural network model development and deployment, embedded or real-time software systems, DevOps/CI-CD pipelines, and software development for safety-critical or avionics environments, or related software engineering experience.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: Programming languages such as Python, Java, or C/C++ for software development in embedded or real-time systems environments.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: Avionics systems and software development and certification activities in safety-critical environments, including standards such as ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-330.
• Must possess at least 4 years of experience with: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), neural network model development and deployment using frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar technologies.
• Must possess at least 3 years of experience with: DevOps pipelines, Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), process automation, and Kubernetes-based software architecture.
• Non-US Person - Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. The company will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

Avionics

Our Avionics team advances flight deck solutions, airborne communications, vision systems, sensors and fire protection for commercial and military customers around the world. That means we're helping people reach their destination safely and keeping pilots, passengers, flight crews, airlines, airports and military personnel connected and informed. And we're providing industry-leading fire protection and safety systems that our customers can count on when it matters most. Are you ready to learn from the most knowledgeable experts in the industry, develop the technologies of tomorrow and reach new heights in your career? Join our Avionics team today.

Onsite:

Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

The salary range is $164,486.00 to $251,600.00 USD per year. 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.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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.

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.