Senior Principal Software Engineer (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Vacation - 3 weeks

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Life insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Sterling, VA is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to join the Simulation & Modelling team supporting NC3 Mission-System integration and crew training for armed forces. You will design, develop, test, and validate software models for a Mission Crew Trainer device in an Agile environment.

Candidates should have deep software lifecycle experience, proficiency in C++ and Python, and an active Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance required; U.S. citizenship.
• Proficient in C++ and Python with strong software lifecycle experience.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers on large DoD programs.
• Typically requires a STEM degree with 7–10+ years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Senior Principal Software Engineer on a simulation team developing software models for a Mission Crew Trainer device.
• Design, develop, integrate, test, and validate systems meeting technical requirements.
• Lead technical execution, drive software maturity, and mentor engineers.
• Work in an Agile environment with planning, backlog management, and status reporting.

Skills

C++ programming

Python programming

Mentoring

DoD program experience

Software lifecycle

Education

STEM degree

Tools

Agile methodologies

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 elevate 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:

• 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!

Employee Referral Eligible #MISENG 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.

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.

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.

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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.