Principal AI/ML Software Engineer - Autonomy (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-03-17

Country:

United States of America

Location:

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

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

Principal AI/ML Software Engineer - Autonomy (Onsite)

Joining Collins Aerospace isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology. 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.

We are seeking a forward‑leaning AI/ML Software Engineer to advance next‑generation Command and Control and Autonomy capabilities for the Connected Battlespace. In this role, you will design and implement distributed reasoning, multi‑agent coordination, and mission‑adaptive autonomy technologies that operate across cooperative, competitive, and adversarial environments.

You will architect intelligent, resilient, edge‑deployed AI systems that support both near‑term mission insertion and future-state capability development. This position sits within Defense Technology’s Applied Research and Technology organization, partnering across Collins to define and deliver breakthrough autonomy, explainable AI, and decentralized C2 solutions. 

Onsite: This is an onsite role supporting our Cedar Rapids, IA location.

What You Will Do:

• Develop multi‑agent coordination algorithms and distributed C2 autonomy behaviors 

• Apply reinforcement learning to resource allocation, tasking, and cooperative/adversarial scenarios 

• Design intent‑driven autonomy functions that translate commander intent into executable behaviors 

• Implement multimodal human‑machine interaction capabilities and operator‑centric mission tools 

• Engineer probabilistic reasoning, adaptive learning, and intelligent data‑management components for DDIL environments 

• Build and integrate distributed AI agents into simulation, laboratory, and operationally representative test environments 

• Develop scalable autonomy and AI architectures spanning edge nodes, federated systems, and cloud environments 

• Implement and maintain MLOps pipelines for continuous model refinement, evaluation, and deployment 

• Ensure interoperability with open standards, cyber‑secure interfaces, and multi‑domain system requirements 

• Transition advanced autonomy concepts into operational prototypes and mission systems 

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or related field 

• 5+ years of experience in AI/ML, autonomy, distributed systems, or advanced C2 architectures 

• Strong background in probabilistic reasoning, reinforcement learning, or multi‑agent systems 

• Experience building resilient distributed computing or edge‑deployed systems 

• Proficiency in Python and at least one systems language such as C++, Rust, or Go 

• Experience developing and deploying ML models using frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow 

• Familiarity with autonomy or distributed‑system frameworks such as ROS/ROS2, messaging/streaming platforms, or agent‑based environments 

• Experience deploying AI technologies into operational or near‑operational environments 

• Experience with autonomy evaluation, simulation‑based testing, or mission analytics 

• U.S. Citizen - U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract

• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance (Secret) on Day 1 of employment.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience implementing explainable AI, safety‑constrained autonomy, or reasoning guardrails 

• Background in human‑machine teaming, operator‑centric autonomy, or cognitive‑aware interfaces 

• Experience developing AI or autonomy systems for contested, DDIL, or bandwidth‑limited environments 

• Familiarity with Neurosymbolic AI, hybrid reasoning architectures, or distributed Bayesian inference 

• Experience with multi‑agent coordination, distributed optimization, or Value‑of‑Information‑driven algorithms 

• Integration experience with edge‑to‑cloud distributed autonomy architectures 

• Experience supporting advanced research programs, IRAD strategy, or technology transition planning 

• Demonstrated ability to guide technical approach, architectural direction, or cross‑team autonomy strategy

​

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

•  And more! 

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

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. 

Learn More & Apply Now!

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.

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 government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.

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.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms