Senior Principal Software Engineer - AT Future Flight (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

Three weeks vacation

401(k) with match

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is seeking an Aircraft Autonomy Systems and Integration engineer to join the Autonomy Aircraft Systems and Integration team. You will develop rapid prototypes and proof of concepts for demonstrations, collaborating with cross-functional teams across systems, software, hardware, and human factors.

The ideal candidate has a deep systems engineering background, experience in aircraft integration and avionics, and a passion for defining new solutions.

Qualifications

• 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
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong Background in Systems Engineering
• Aircraft Integration and Test experience
• Avionics Experience

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to a team of engineers and researchers working on autonomy projects.
• Define requirements, interfaces and updates needed to develop new autonomous solutions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define, design, develop, and implement advanced autonomy capabilities across contributing domains.
• Execute integration and test activities in the lab and on the aircraft.
• Disposition test and integration issues and conduct root cause investigations.
• Create and maintain Systems documentation.
• Foster innovation and excellence in technical execution.

Skills

Leadership

Systems Engineering

Aircraft Integration

Avionics Experience

Cross-functional Leadership

Education

STEM degree with 7+ years

Job description

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

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Country: United States of America

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

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

Want to shape the future of Avionics? This position is for an experienced professional to join the Autonomy Aircraft Systems and Integration team in the Aerospace Technologies – Applied Research and Technology department. This group supports the Avionics Strategic Business Unit in researching, maturing, and transitioning technologies that enable advanced capabilities and operations in commercial aviation. The team is cross-functional and composed of systems, software, hardware, and human factors engineers with a variety of expertise. Areas of near-term focus include Autonomy Lab and Jet Integration and automation capability definition.

As an Aircraft Autonomy Systems and Integration engineer, you will be part of a highly motivated and innovative team supporting the development of rapid prototypes and proof of concepts for internal and external demonstrations. This is a unique position where every day will be a little bit different with new challenges and problems to be solved. This will allow you to use your skills and push you to continually to learn new ones. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Systems Engineering and Integration, a background in aviation, and a passion for defining new solutions.

This is an onsite position based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to a team of engineers and researchers working on autonomy projects.
• Define requirements, interfaces and updates needed to develop new autonomous solutions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define, design, develop, and implement advanced autonomy capabilities across contributing domains.
• Execute integration and test activities in the lab and on the aircraft.
• Disposition test and integration issues and conduct root cause investigations.
• Create and maintain Systems documentation.
• Foster innovation and excellence in technical execution.

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
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong Background in Systems Engineering
• Aircraft Integration and Test experience
• Avionics Experience

Qualifications We Prefer

• Avionics certification experience
• Flight Testing experience
• Experience Proline Fusion or EDS avionicsPilot or Flight Operations Experience
• Experience architecting systems and software
• Familiarity with Agile, SCRUM, and Jira

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!

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.