Software Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

Collins Aerospace; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Eligibility

Job summary

Collins Aerospace, a RTX business, seeks a Software Engineer Internship in Sterling, VA to design, develop, test, and debug real-time software for simulation and training systems. You will work on multi-threaded applications within an Agile team, collaborating with engineers and project management to plan priorities and deliver features.

The role emphasizes learning new technologies, maintaining existing products, and advancing your skills in a structured internship path.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related STEM major and enrolled through internship/co-op.
• Experience with unit testing (GoogleTest, NUnit or similar) and software maintenance.
• Familiarity with source control systems (Git, Subversion, ClearCase, etc.).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and debug real-time, multi-threaded software applications, APIs and interfaces for simulation and training.
• Collaborate with other software engineers and project management on an Agile development team.
• Support, maintain, and enhance existing software products as necessary.
• Actively learn new technologies and apply them to new domains.

Skills

Object-oriented design

Unit testing

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

C/C++

C#

Git

Subversion

ClearCase

Job description

Location:

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

Date Posted:

2026-10-28

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:

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

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world.

Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

• Design, develop, test, and debug real-time, multi-threaded, multiprocessing software applications, APIs, and associated user interfaces for simulation and training
• Regularly collaborate with other software engineers and project management to plan and prioritize development tasks on an Agile development team
• Support, maintain, and enhance existing software products as necessary
• Actively learn new technologies and techniques and apply them to new domains and problem sets

This Software Engineer Internship position is within the Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS) business area. SDS develops and builds simulators and training systems for both military and commercial customers. Devices range in complexity from desktop trainers to high-fidelity weapon systems and full-flight training systems. This position is on-site in Sterling, VA.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) major and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Object-Oriented Design and Programming using C/C++ and/or C# Unit testing (GoogleTest, NUnit or similar) and software maintenance
• Source code control (Subversion, git, ClearCase, etc.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance

Experience may be obtained through on-the-job experience, research, coursework, or projects.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• AI/ML and/or OpenAI development experience
• Unreal Engine experience with C++ and Blueprints for gaming development.
• Virtual reality and mixed reality development experience
• Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, and other virtualization and cloud computing technologies
• RDBMS databases such as PostgreSQL
• Multithreading IPCs (e.g. Mutex, Semaphore, Shared Memory, etc.)
• Continuous Integration experience (Bamboo, Jenkins, TeamCity or similar)

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX, we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Relocation Eligibility

The salary range for this role is 42,000 USD - 88,000 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.

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