Principal Software Engineer - Tools and Enablement (Onsite)

Job Description

Date Posted:
2026-07-08

Country:
United States of America

Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

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.
Do you have what it takes to

develop and

lead

an

innovative, forward thinking, highly motivated engineering design team
?

The Next Generation Processing Foundational Software team

is focused on the development of

micro
c
hip

solutions

that can be applied across a wide variety of Avionics products in safety critical commercial and military applications
.

Our team

is responsible for

the development, certification and sustainment of these processing and graphics solutions.

The

foundation software team

has an opening for a
n

Enablement Lead.

The Platform Software Enablement and Tools Lead is a key technical leadership role responsible for driving the strategy, development, and integration of the software platforms, toolchains, and automation capabilities that power modern engineering teams. This role ensures that developers have robust, scalable, and efficient tools to build, test, and deliver high‑quality software across

a

complex

sub

system. By combining deep technical

expertise

with strong cross‑functional collaboration, the Platform Software Enablement and Tools Lead serves as the central catalyst for improving engineering productivity, enhancing platform consistency, and enabling seamless end‑to‑end workflows.

What You Will Do:

Product Line Development Vision

Architect and lead delivery of the next‑generation product line processing platform, spanning boot, application, and RTOS software.

Ensure full compliance with DO‑178C DAL A standards across development, verification, and release.

Partner with cross‑functional teams to build efficient development processes and ensure successful platform implementation.

Automated Pipeline Integration

Lead integration of DAL‑A software into a GitLab-based pipeline that supports the complete DO‑178 lifecycle from planning to certification.

Develop Docker images to ensure consistent environments across cloud and target hardware.

Apply modern

CertDevOps

tools such as GitLab Pipelines (or Bamboo/Jenkins), static analysis, coverage tools, requirements verification, and timing‑analysis suites.

Optimize

and

maintain

CI/CD pipelines to improve reliability, traceability, and development velocity
.

Lifecycle Environment

Maintenance

Design, debug, and document test

solutions

for product‑line test environments.

Debug avionics networking protocols.

Oversee

consistent configuration of test

equipment.

Build automation and test harnesses

to accelerate verification

and

maintain

automation
.

Tools Development and Standardization

Develop and deliver training on processes, work instructions, and best practices for automated pipelines, test environments, and tooling
.

Support development and certification of TQL‑5 tools
.

Drive standardization of test harnesses, development tools, and engineering processes.

Create scripts to automate repetitive tasks and improve overall efficiency.

Leverage

AI capabilities to enhance engineering productivity and

optimize

schedules.

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
5+ years of

d
emonstrated

experience leading

t
ool
ing

or software product development

teams in a safety‑critical or highly regulated environment

Experience with

CertDevOps

tools such as Bamboo, Jenkins, or GitLab.

Expertise

with automated tooling frameworks, virtualization, or containerized development environments such as Docker.

Strong

proficiency

in automation scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).

Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Proven experience with DO‑178C DAL A certification processes and DO‑330 tool qualification

from early architecture through certification.

Hands‑on experience with embedded software development, real‑time operating systems, or avionics processing platforms

Strong knowledge of networking protocols (A429, CAN, AFDX, Ethernet).

Experience implementing AI‑based tooling, workflow automation, or advanced scheduling/efficiency optimization

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!
Learn More & Apply Now!​
Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.
*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.
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