Senior Principal Software Engineer - DevOps / Infrastructure (Onsite)

RTX (Raytheon); Oak Grove (VA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer for DevOps/Infrastructure in Sterling, VA. The role emphasizes building and maintaining automated CI/CD pipelines and secure, scalable infrastructure to support mission-critical simulations and training solutions.

You will lead cross-functional teams, enhance deployment pipelines, and ensure reliable lab-based development and on-site operations in a fast-paced defense environment. U.S.

Qualifications

• Experience deploying, configuring, and supporting CI/CD Pipelines.
• Experience with GitLab, Jira, Confluence, Coverity, Nexus, Artifactory, and Splunk.
• Experience with automation frameworks such as Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, etc.
• Experience with Python, Bash, and PowerShell scripting.
• Experience with VMware, Proxmox, etc.
• Experience with CI for real-time testing and diagnostics within a virtualized environment.
• Experience with Docker/Podman containers, or Kubernetes orchestration.
• Experience in Linux and Windows environments.
• Experience with IDEs such as Visual Studio/VS Code.
• Experience with IaaS/PaaS (OpenShift/VMware/OpenStack).
• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (Scrum/SAFe).
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, VLANs and configuring network devices.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop automation solutions to enable code build and deployment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for seamless integration and operation of software systems.
• Own the CI/CD pipeline, optimize integration and delivery of simulation environments.
• Troubleshoot build chain or CI/CD pipeline tools.
• Identify manual processes and suggest automation strategies and improvements.
• Consider overall CI/CD infrastructure when making changes.
• Design and maintain scalable, secure infrastructure to support mission-critical apps.
• Apply DevOps principles, cloud infra, automation, and reliability.

Skills

CI/CD Pipelines

DevOps

Linux/Windows

Networking (TCP/IP)

Agile Methodologies

Cloud/Virtual Infrastructure

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (related field)

Tools

GitLab

Jira

Confluence

Docker

Kubernetes

Ansible

Terraform

Puppet

VMware

OpenShift

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

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

Senior Principal Software Engineer - DevOps / Infrastructure (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a global leader providing technologically advanced and intelligent solutions across the aerospace and defense industry. We leverage our extensive capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and deep expertise needed to tackle our customers' most complex challenges and navigate the demands of a fast-paced global market.

The Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS) portfolio is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Software Engineering 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 holistic, integrated simulation and training solutions, directly ensuring our customers are prepared for the most vital missions.

This position requires an active U.S. security clearance and sole U.S. citizenship, as dual citizenship is not permitted due to the nature of the program/contract. Most aspects of the job must be accomplished in a lab environment, so this position requires regular on-site presence. This position is located onsite at our Sterling, VA site.

What You Will Do:

• Support and develop automation solutions that enable our teams to build and deploy code efficiently and consistently.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration, deployment, and operation of software systems.
• Take ownership of the program's CI/CD pipeline, optimizing code integration and delivery of the simulation environment.
• Use troubleshooting skills to resolve issues with build chain or CI/CD pipeline tools.
• Identify manual processes that can be automated with recommendations for strategy and improvements, prior experience with automated testing as part of a CI/CD pipeline.
• Consider the organization's entire CI/CD infrastructure when making changes and improvements.
• Design, implement, and maintain scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions to support mission-critical applications and services.
• Apply deep understanding of DevOps principles, cloud infrastructure, automation, and system reliability.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Experience deploying, configuring, and supporting CI/CD Pipelines.
• Experience with common software development and management tools such as GitLab, Jira, Confluence, Coverity, Nexus, Artifactory, and Splunk.
• Experience with automation frameworks such as Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, etc.
• Experience with server-side scripting languages such as Python, Bash, and PowerShell.
• Experience with a virtual environment such as VMware, Proxmox, etc.
• Experience with continuous integration for real-time testing and diagnostics within a virtualized environment.
• Experience with Docker/ Podman containers, or Kubernetes orchestration.
• Experience working in Linux and Windows environments.
• Experience with development IDEs such as Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, or other related.
• Experience in application development and integration within one or more IaaS/PaaS (Red Hat OpenShift / VMware / OpenStack).
• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum, SAFe).
• Strong understanding of networking (TCP/IP, VLANs) and experience configuring network devices or virtual networks.

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
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required prior to start date

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience as an Agile Product Owner skilled in guiding teams, managing backlogs, and translating business needs into technical requirements.
• Familiarity with cloud networking frameworks (L2, L3, and spine-leaf architecture).
• Experience in microservices using RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with maintaining and deploying database technology, such as SQL and NoSQL databases like MongoDB, PostgreSQL and MonetDB.
• Familiarity with JSON, XML, YAML and XSD formats, rules, and usages.
• Experience in refactoring legacy systems for cloud or virtual environments.
• Certifications: Security (Security+, CISSP, or equivalent); Networking (CCNA,or equivalent).
• Experience in application development and integration within one or more cloud platform services such as (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, VMware Cloud).