Senior Principal Project Engineer - Avionics Software Tools (ONSITE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan assistance

Life insurance

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer for the Avionics Software Tools team. You will lead design and execution of avionics tools, coordinating with cross-functional teams and external customers to deliver DO-330 qualified solutions for aircraft systems and instrumented platforms.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, architecture development, and bid/contract involvement, with onsite work in Cedar Rapids and collaboration across global teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and 10+ years of experience, or an Advanced Degree with 7+ years.
• U.S. Person clearance requirement for ITAR/EAR information.
• Experience leading medium to large project teams.
• Strong software engineering background applied to system architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead design activities and execution coordination for Avionics tools.
• Report program status to management (schedule, budget, staffing, issues).
• Collaborate with engineering teams across Avionics and external customers.
• Lead design and requirements for current and next-gen Avionics tools.
• Provide technical leadership and roadmap alignment for the group.
• Coordinate with aircraft systems engineers to integrate Avionics software for prototyping and testing.

Skills

Project management

Software engineering

System architecture

Bidding processes

Leadership

Avionics domain

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

DO-330 tools

Job description

Location

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

Date Posted

2026-08-19

Location

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

Position Role Type

Onsite

U.S. Person Requirements

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status

Not Required

At 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.

We are seeking a Senior Principal Project Engineer for our Avionics Software Tools team based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Avionics Software Tools team is an Avionics software tools focused team, with responsibilities for Avionics Function tools, delivering tools that configure Avionics products and Integrated Modular Architecture systems tools that enable systems engineers to design and deploy aircraft systems I/O for aircraft platforms. This engineer will work in a team of software and systems engineers driving solutions for DO-330 qualified tools, simulation and infrastructure tools for multiple avionics teams. The team supports Collins Avionics Commercial and Military platforms. Our team builds cloud and desktop environments for use in dev ops pipelines, desktop deployments and external customers that enable configuration of Avionics products used on aircraft.

This role is for a strong technical leader that acts as a Product Chief for our team and will be expected to develop knowledge in multiple avionics software domains and lead technical approaches, trade studies, demonstrate project reporting skills, and represent our team in formal bids, product management reviews, and work closely with engineering management to drive projects to completion. An ideal candidate will have systems experience or training in addition to a software engineering background.

This is an onsite role in our facilities located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and due to the global nature of our business and customers, applicants to this position will be expected to collaborate with teams located in multiple geographical locations beyond North America.

What You Will Do

• Lead design activities, bidding and execution coordination of Avionics tools in support of avionics software development and system testing
• Report on program status (schedule, budget, staffing, issues, and accomplishments) to management
• Interact and collaborate with engineering teams across Avionics and provide engineering project support to external customers when required.
• Lead design and requirements for current and next generation Avionics tools
• Provide technical leadership to the team, driving the roadmap for the group towards achieving organizational Avionics development and tool qualification needs
• Work with aircraft systems engineers and airborne software application teams to design and deliver solutions that integrate Avionics software for prototyping, implementation and testing of avionics products.
• Collaborate using project management tools and processes defined by the organization.

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
• U.S. Person required - Job requires access to ITAR or 600/500-series EAR information or hardware (directly or indirectly) and the company will not seek an export authorization for this role.
• Project engineering experience leading medium or large sized teams
• Extensive experience in software engineering and how it applies to system architecture development
• Experience with proposal preparation and formal bidding processes
• Aerospace industry experience is required.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with DO-330 qualified tools used in certification of Avionics software
• Experience in both software and systems engineering
• Advanced knowledge of related disciplines within work area and ability to identify links and potential impact on projects, programs or systems.
• Experience with engineering processes and procedures, including writing requirements, design and implementation, functional and integration testing
• Familiarity with export of technical data and commodities

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
• And more!

Onsite

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

Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again. Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.

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.

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