Senior Principal Software Engineer (Onsite)

RTX (Raytheon); Oak Grove (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation for newly/hire

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave benefits

Wellness programs

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer in Sterling, VA to design and develop software models for a Mission Crew Trainer device. You will work within an agile team, mentor engineers, and help drive software maturity across a high-stakes defense program.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, system integration, and technical demonstrations for key stakeholders, with a focus on meeting strict DoD requirements and mission readiness.

Qualifications

• Experience with software lifecycle processes from requirements to validation.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python programming languages.
• Mentors junior engineers to enable domain-knowledge growth.
• Experience working on a large DoD program.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Senior Principal Software Engineer on a simulation team developing software models for a Mission Crew Trainer device.
• Provide technical execution experience for design, development, integration, test, & validation of a compliant system.
• Serve as a primary contributor to drive software efforts to maturity.
• Work in an Agile program environment with planning, backlog management, and coordination within the team.
• Identify and escalates risks, opportunities, and dependencies for seamless program execution.
• Report execution status to program and functional leadership regularly.
• Prepare and present technical demonstrations to stakeholders for feedback & improvement.
• Mentor early- and mid-level engineers through coaching and knowledge transfer.

Skills

C++

Python

Software lifecycle

Mentoring

DoD program experience

Security clearance

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-13

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.

Our Software Engineers work in an exciting, adaptive, and engaging environment enabling rapid learning to drive success.

This position will support the shaping of high-fidelity Simulation & Modelling efforts for enablement of NC3 Mission-System Integration and Crew Training for the armed forces.

Sign On Bonus Eligible

What You Will Do:

• Serve as a Senior Principal Software Engineer on a simulation team developing software models for a Mission Crew Trainer device.
• Provide technical execution experience required for design, development, integration, test, & validation of a system that complies with technical and performance requirements.
• Serve as a primary and important contributor to the team to drive software efforts to maturity.
• Work in an Agile program environment, supporting planning, backlog management, technical execution, and coordination within the Agile team.
• Identify and escalates risks, opportunities, and dependencies to ensure seamless program execution.
• Report execution status to program and functional leadership on a regular basis.
• Prepare and present technical demonstrations to key stakeholders to solicit product feedback & improvement.
• Mentor early-level & mid-level engineers through technical coaching, knowledge transfer, collaboration, and hands on guidance; fostering technical growth and preparing engineers for increased levels of responsibility.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Deep familiarity with Software lifecycle processes for requirements, design, development, integration, test, and feature planning.
• Experience writing software in C++ and Python programing languages.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers to help enable domain-knowledge growth.
• Experience working on a team within a large DoD program.
• 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 Simulation & Training engineering.
• Familiarity with engineering processes ranging from Software, Hardware, and Mechanical domains.
• Experience with Agile Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum, SAFe), including backlog management, Agile metrics, and Scrum ceremonies.
• Experience communicating task status for Earned Value (EV) reporting or experience as a CAM.
• Familiarity with Radio Frequency (RF) communications concepts.

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 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
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and governm