Senior Principal Lead Software Engineer (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation time (3 weeks)

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is seeking a Software Engineer for the Strategic Defense Solutions portfolio in Sterling, VA. This onsite role focuses on designing and developing software for an aircraft Simulator Training System, ensuring readiness for critical missions.

Regular onsite work at the Sterling, VA site is required. A Secret U.S. government clearance is required prior to start, with extensive experience in Agile development, EV/CAM, and CI/CD pipelines to drive program success.

Qualifications

• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum, SAFe).
• Experience communicating programmatic Earned Value (EV) and as CAM.
• Experience deploying, configuring, and supporting CI/CD pipelines.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required.
• Typically requires a STEM degree with 10+ years of experience or an Advanced Degree with 7+ years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the simulation software team across engineering efforts to complete project capabilities.
• Coordinate with Systems Engineers to develop and mature software requirements.
• Identify and manage technical risks and dependencies for seamless program execution.
• Support risk and opportunity management, schedule adherence, and cost control for program deliverables.
• Contribute to the design and development of a Systems/Software architecture for an aircraft Simulator Training System.

Skills

Agile Methodologies

Earned Value (EV)

Cost Account Manager (CAM)

CI/CD

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CORE Simulation (CORESIM)

Ansible

Terraform

Python

PowerShell

Bash

REST APIs

Linux

Windows

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-10-22

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Raytheon Company Managed by Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

The Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS) portfolio is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Software Engineer professional to join our team in Sterling, VA. In this critical role, you will be part of an innovative team focused on designing and developing software solutions, directly ensuring our customers are prepared for the most vital missions.

Many aspects of the job must be accomplished in a lab environment, so this position requires regular onsite presence at our Sterling, VA site.

Sign On Bonus Eligible

What You Will Do:

• Serve as technical leader for simulation software team, aligning efforts across engineering teams to ensure completion of capabilities within project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with Systems Engineers to develop, mature and update software requirements.
• Identify and manage technical risks and dependencies and ensure seamless program execution.
• Support risk and opportunity management, schedule adherence, and cost control to meet program deliverables and financial objectives.
• Contribute to the design and development of a Systems/Software architecture for an aircraft Simulator Training System.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum, SAFe), including backlog management, Agile metrics, and Scrum ceremonies.
• Experience utilizing and communicating programmatic Earned Value (EV) and experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM).
• Experience deploying, configuring, and supporting CI/CD pipelines.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.
• 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

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience with CORE Simulation (CORESIM) Architecture.
• Experience with automation frameworks such as Ansible, Terraform, etc.
• Experience with server-side scripting languages such as Python, Bash, and PowerShell.
• Experience in microservices using RESTful APIs.
• Experience working in Linux and Windows environments.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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 illnessinsurance, 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!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across theworld, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian,military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever andwherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and securecommunications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft andcollaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play inensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are youup for the challenge? Join our mission today.

Employee Referral Eligible

#MISENG

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.

The salary range for this role is 145,600 USD - 276,800 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.