Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Holidays

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA, is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering, to design, develop and validate control and diagnostic software for avionics systems. The role involves multidisciplinary collaboration, model-based design and advancing software quality standards within a regulated DO-178B/C environment.

The position requires a strong background in real-time embedded software (C, MATLAB/Simulink), Agile methods, and extensive aircraft systems experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field and 10+ years in avionics software
• 5+ years of experience with aircraft systems and avionics software DO-178B/C development and certification processes
• 5+ years of experience with EVM, CAM, Change Management, Risk Management and IMS schedules
• 5+ years of experience with Agile methodologies
• 5+ years of experience with developing and verifying software for real-time embedded systems using C and Simulink modeling languages
• Non-U.S. Person – visa sponsorship not offered and export authorizations may be required

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, document, test and debug control and diagnostic systems with logical and mathematical solutions.
• Collaborate with equipment designers in planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.
• Determine end user needs by analyzing system capabilities to resolve problems on program input, output and data acquisition.
• Ensure hardware and software standards are met.
• Design and implement build procedures to support hardware and software product development.
• May train software developers in configuration management tools and software quality standards.
• Includes control modeling (model based design).

Skills

Agile methodologies

Real-time embedded systems

C programming

MATLAB/Simulink

Software verification

DO-178B/C

System analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Location

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

Date Posted

2026-09-11

Country

United States of America

Security Clearance Status

Not Required

Rockwell Collins Inc. d/b/a Collins Aerospace has an opening for a Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering in Cedar Rapids, IA. Travel to India to visit company locations in Hyderabad and Bangalore for business meetings for about 1 week at a time up to once per year, travel to Canada to support customer meetings up to 1 week in duration up to twice a year.

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

• Design, develop, document, test and debug control and diagnostic systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.
• Conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborate with equipment designers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.
• Determine end user needs by analyzing system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements and input data acquisition.
• Ensure hardware and software standards are met.
• Design and implement build procedures that are used to support hardware and software product development and use.
• May develop software configuration standards for company-wide use.
• May train software developers in the use of configuration management tools and the implementation of software quality standards.
• Includes control modeling (model based design).

Qualifications You Must Have

• Must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field and at least 10 years of progressive experience as a Software Engineer or related role in the avionics industry. In the alternative, at least a master’s degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field and at least 7 years of experience as a Software Engineer or related role in the avionics industry would be acceptable.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: aircraft systems, avionics software and DO-178B/C development and certification processes.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: in the areas of EVM, CAM, Change Management, Risk Management, and a working knowledge of project schedules (IMS) and month end reconciliation activities.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: working with and leading Agile methodologies.
• Must possess at least 5 years of experience with: developing and verifying software for real-time embedded systems using C and Matlab (Simulink) modeling languages.
• Non-U.S. Person – Position will not offer work immigration sponsorship and will seek export authorizations to allow the individual to work on a specific program or project.

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 $135,803.00 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 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.

• 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
• 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.