Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering

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

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Senior Principal Engineer, Software Engineering, to design, develop, and verify control and diagnostic software for avionics systems. You will work on multidisciplinary projects with a focus on DO-178B/C processes and real-time embedded software in C and MATLAB/Simulink.

The role involves collaboration with hardware teams, adherence to software standards, and potential travel to international sites for key business meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in CS/EE with extensive avionics software experience.
• 5+ years in aircraft systems and DO-178B/C processes.
• 5+ years in EVM, CAM, risk management, IMS, and month-end reconciliation.
• 5+ years leading Agile development efforts.
• 5+ years developing real-time embedded software in C and MATLAB/Simulink.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Aircraft systems

Avionics software

DO-178B/C

Agile methodologies

C language

MATLAB/Simulink

Real-time embedded

Project scheduling

Change Management

EVM CAM

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE

Master's degree in CS/EE

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

C language

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Country: United States of America

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

Position Role Type: Unspecified

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Security Clearance Type:

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.

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. 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.