Principal Software Engineer - Radar Modeling (Onsite)

About the role

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. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry.

Responsibilities

• Support high-fidelity radar models in flight simulation training systems.
• Build, update and maintain different types of radar models through software engineering in the host simulation code.
• Integrate with distributed simulation environments.
• Support, maintain, and enhance existing radar software products.
• Design, develop, test, and debug real-time, multi-threaded software, distributed applications, and APIs for simulation and training.
• May manage small projects or processes.
• Implement data standards based on specific radar models.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must have or be capable of obtaining a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• Extensive experience with radar software development and radar concepts for simulation.
• Proven leadership experience in a team environment, driving creative solutions to complex technical problems.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Object-Oriented programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on bids and proposals.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications for real radar systems and translate them into software models.
• Ability to work with large, existing codebases and mission-critical software.
• Knowledge of Radar Simulation Systems (RSS) databases: how data is structured, how to query it, and how it drives the radar model.
• Experience using and creating Interface Control Documents (ICD) to establish the content and format of all host/RSS interface data.
• Knowledge of how RSS data flows into the radar pipeline.
• Experience with Air-Ground modes:
  • Real Beam Ground Map (RBGM)
  • GMTI (Ground Mapping Target Indication)
  • SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)
  • DBS (Doppler Beam Sharpening)
  • AGR (Air to Ground Ranging)
• Experience with Air-Sea Modes such as Sea Surface Search (SSS).
• Experience with interleaved modes.
• Expertise in packet/network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark).
• Support system integration, test events, and customer reviews.
• Strong software architecture skills with the ability to design modular, scalable, high-performance systems for real-time simulation.
• Deep understanding of radar systems: signal propagation, resolution, Doppler, clutter, Radar Cross Section (RCS), antenna patterns, attenuation, range bins, azimuth bins, etc.
• Familiarity and experience with Operational Flight Program (OFP) core software used in both a Full Mission Simulator (FMS) and Operational Flight Trainer (OFT).
• Agile methodology.
• Software development for automated unit testing.

Benefits

• 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: 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
• Eligible for relocation assistance

Pay

The salary range for this role is $118,300 – $224,900 USD. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role responsibilities, candidate experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Schedule

This is an onsite role based in Sterling, VA.

Security Clearance

U.S. citizenship is required. Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret clearance.