Principal Engineer - Software Engineering (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-06-05



Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-182 ~ 1100 Cimmie Ave Ne ~ BLDG 182

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

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.

Collins Aerospace is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Principal Software engineer in our Military Avionics Flight Management Applications department located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Teams are comprised of cross-functional engineers working in an AGILE environment (approximately 6-10 people) focused on the design and development of software only products. The engineer that fills this role will support fixed and rotary wing platforms.

This job is focused on the technical aspects of product development related to architectures as well as the design and development process.  Expectations include leading technical decisions that align with the highest standards in quality while maintaining a diverse product line portfolio and customer contracts. Our experienced engineers are involved in all aspects of the product life cycle, from bid and proposal to certification and support.

• This position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30am to 4:30pm workday, or beyond a 40-hour work week.   

Product Summary:

CAAS/Flight 2 Flight Management Solutions - Our signature products for Military Avionics and Helicopters as part of the Collins Integrated Avionics Systems, fielded on thousands of aircraft today, at this moment. Specific capabilities include FMS (Flight Management Systems), Performance Application, System Manager, and Flight Plan Server (FPS). Please see the following links for more details:  

• https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Integrated-Cockpit-Solutions/Common-Avionics-Architecture-System.aspx  
• https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Products-and-Services/Defense/Avionics/Integrated-Cockpit-Solutions/Flight2.aspx  

What You Will Do:

• You will develop software for our fixed and rotary winged platforms as a member of the Flight Management Applications engineering team.
• You will provide mentorship and guidance to other members of the development team in software development best practices and how to solve our hardest technical challenges.
• You will implement and verify updates to the flight management software for fixed and rotary wing platforms.
• You will implement and verify updates to the graphical flight planning and display software for fixed and rotary wing platforms.
• You will communicate plans and status on your assigned stories to your agile team members, internal stakeholders, and external customers.
• You will coordinate with the platform engineering team and other software domain teams to identify and track dependencies for shared features.
• You will champion knowledge sharing, elevating department expertise through both formal training and informal mentoring.
• Willingness to travel (domestic and international <20%). 

What You Will Learn:

• You will take a program through the full software development cycle, starting with contract award and ending with black label production delivery.
• You will deepen your expertise in cutting-edge avionic systems, positioning you as a subject matter expert in military software applications.
• You will expand your impact on the field of avionics, contributing to software solutions that increase the operational capabilities of aircraft worldwide.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Experience in the design and development of deliverable software (production or consumer facing) role.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Defense or Aerospace industry experience
• DO-178 or similar certification-based development experience
• Avionics knowledge
• AGILE development experience  
• Ada or C/C++ coding experience
• Python scripting experience
• Demonstrated time management skills - ability to work unsupervised, multi-task, and coordinate work.
• Demonstrated management of the relationship between cost and value  
  Success in a team environment 
• Strong Technical Skills, specifically in systems-based development.  
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal).  

What We Offer:

Benefits: 

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   

•  And more!   

This role may be eligible for relocation.

Learn More & Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

Onsite: 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. 

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.   

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day. 

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.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 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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