Senior Software Engineer (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA)

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 86,800 - 165,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Generous vacation

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Senior Software Engineer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to develop advanced resilient networking solutions. You will lead small teams to innovate and transition concepts into products, influencing future technology.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in embedded software development and modern networking technologies. Benefits include comprehensive medical plans and generous vacation time.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) with 5 years experience.
• At least 3+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Understanding of modern networking technologies including IPv4/IPv6 and routing protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and integration of advanced resilient networking software systems.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers across Collins and RTX.
• Innovate end-to-end: from concept formation and modeling to product transitions.

Skills

Embedded software development

C

C++

Rust

Python

Bash

Modern build systems

Git

SVN

Networking stack implementation

Education

Degree in STEM

Tools

Embedded Linux systems

Networking technologies

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

Date Posted: 2026-07-01

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1.

As a Senior Software Engineer, you join a small, high-impact team on the cutting edge of next-generation wireless networking, bringing emerging and innovative solutions out of the lab and into our products in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop technology rapidly on small, focused teams backed by world-class labs and the resources of a major aerospace company.
• Innovate end-to-end: from concept formation and modeling to prototypes, demos, and transitions to product teams.
• Tackle complex, open-ended problems at the intersection of resilient networking and embedded software.
• Collaborate with sharp engineers and researchers across Collins, RTX, universities, labs, and innovative small businesses.
• Influence the future of our technology through contributions to architectures, roadmaps, proposals, patents, and publications.
• Lead the design, development, and integration of advanced resilient networking software systems and architectures.
• Lead small groups of engineers (2‑3 individuals) on programs’ technical aspects, including overseeing design, build, test, and demonstration.
• Train and oversee efforts of less experienced engineers.
• Architect and drive execution across the full software lifecycle — concept, modeling, implementation, integration, field demo, and program transition.
• Frame problems and translate mission needs into testable technical objectives.
• Design and run experiments; analyze results to iterate on concepts and implementations.
• Capture architectures, designs, test results, and lessons learned for reuse.
• Evaluate networking technologies such as MANET protocols, secure routing techniques, and adaptive mesh architectures.
• Contribute to proposals, white papers, and technical briefings.
• Travel required up to 15% of the time.

Core Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• At least 3+ years of embedded software development (C, C++, Rust, Python, Bash). Proficient with modern build systems (Make, CMake, SCons) and version control tools (Git, SVN) in complex or realtime embedded environments.
• Background in embedded Linux systems, networked applications, networking stack implementation, or BSP development.
• Understanding of modern networking technologies including IPv4/IPv6, routing protocols, multicast, NAT, TCP/UDP, OLSR, OSPF, PIM, IPSec, VPN, QoS, and ACLs.
• Experience defining system‑level requirements and creating scalable software architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above).
• Experience with MANETs, Tactical Data Links, or distributed network systems. Experience integrating embedded software with FPGA/firmware systems.
• Understanding of RF concepts, waveform interactions, and cross-layer impacts on networking performance.
• Experience transitioning technology from R&D (TRL 3–6) into products.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to convey complex concepts to stakeholders.

Benefits

• 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 such as 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!

Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Onsite Role

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.

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.

Salary range: 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. This range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and 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 depend on the business unit and whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may also be eligible for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether the role is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Payments under these programs are not guaranteed and depend on various factors including performance.

This is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.