Software Engineer (C/C++, Python)

About the Company

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a global aerospace and defense organization focused on developing technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for complex mission requirements.

The Integrated Secure Processing Solutions (SPS) team develops mission-critical solutions supporting Mission Systems, including secure communications and specialized aerospace and defense applications. The team combines software engineering expertise, systems architecture, and mission-focused technology to deliver reliable solutions for civilian, military, and government customers.

About the Role

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Software Lead Engineer – Embedded Communications to provide technical leadership for mission-critical embedded software programs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

This role is ideal for an experienced software engineering leader with strong expertise in embedded C/C++, Python, real-time systems, communications, program execution, and technical leadership.

The successful candidate will lead software execution for small teams, translate customer requirements into comprehensive technical solutions, support proposals and cost estimation, and manage technical, cost, schedule, and risk considerations across complex programs.

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Employment Type: Full-time

Security Clearance: Active and transferable Secret clearance required

Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required

Sign-on Bonus: Eligible

Relocation: Assistance available

Salary Range: $107,500 – $204,500 annually

Key Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software engineering activities using C/C++ and Python across the software development lifecycle.
• Ensure software solutions meet functional, performance, quality, and reliability requirements.
• Lead the development of technical proposals and detailed program-level cost estimates during bid and proposal activities.
• Lead and coordinate software development execution for small engineering teams.
• Provide technical leadership while maintaining alignment with program cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Translate customer requirements into practical, scalable, end-to-end system solutions.
• Balance technical requirements with schedule, cost, and program constraints.
• Estimate, track, and communicate program cost, schedule, and risk metrics.
• Support program execution using earned value management principles.
• Identify technical and program risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with high-performance, multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Support requirements analysis and the development or synthesis of new and existing system architectures.
• Apply software engineering best practices to complex mission-critical systems.
• Support technical execution across programs where mission performance is a critical requirement.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) program with employer matching and separate employer retirement contributions.
• Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional pet, home, auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, legal, and identity-theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family-planning resources.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan with up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You wellness incentives.
• Doctor on Demand virtual healthcare.
• Bright Horizons child and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts second-opinion services.
• Relocation assistance.
• Employee referral eligibility.
• Sign-on bonus eligibility.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and at least 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Cost Account Management for engineering teams.
• Experience developing or managing an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for a multi-year program.
• Experience using risk and opportunity frameworks to manage complex program execution involving cost and schedule constraints.
• Experience performing Product Owner responsibilities, including scope and backlog management.
• Active and transferable SECRET security clearance required before the start date.
• U.S. citizenship required because of security-clearance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing multi-threaded real-time embedded applications.
• Experience leading technical proposals and bidding activities.
• Experience using the SEER parametric estimation tool.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies.
• Technical leadership experience within Agile teams.
• Experience developing TCP/IP network applications.
• Experience with UML.
• Background or knowledge of cross-domain solutions.
• Strong embedded communications and software architecture experience.
• Experience working on complex aerospace, defense, military, or mission-critical systems.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams and collaborate with customers and stakeholders.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Collins Aerospace and RTX are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified candidates. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other applicable protected classification.

RTX provides affirmative action and employment opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in accordance with applicable law.

Join Collins Aerospace and help develop secure, mission-critical embedded communications solutions that support some of the world's most demanding aerospace and defense missions.