Senior Principal Project Engineer - Avionics Software Tools (ONSITE)

Date Posted: 2026-08-19 | Location: Cedar Rapids, IA | Onsite role

About the Role

Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, is seeking a Senior Principal Project Engineer for our Avionics Software Tools team based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This team focuses on Avionics software tools, delivering solutions that configure Avionics products and Integrated Modular Architecture systems tools enabling systems engineers to design and deploy aircraft systems I/O.

This engineer will work in a team of software and systems engineers driving solutions for DO-330 qualified tools, simulation, and infrastructure tools for multiple avionics teams. The team supports Collins Avionics Commercial and Military platforms, building cloud and desktop environments for dev ops pipelines, desktop deployments, and external customers.

This role is for a strong technical leader acting as a Product Chief, developing knowledge in multiple avionics software domains, leading technical approaches, trade studies, and project reporting. The ideal candidate will have systems experience or training in addition to a software engineering background. Due to the global nature of our business, collaboration with teams across multiple geographical locations is expected.

This is an onsite role in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) is required due to access to ITAR or 600/500-series EAR information or hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead design activities, bidding, and execution coordination of Avionics tools in support of avionics software development and system testing.
• Report on program status (schedule, budget, staffing, issues, and accomplishments) to management.
• Interact and collaborate with engineering teams across Avionics and provide engineering project support to external customers when required.
• Lead design and requirements for current and next-generation Avionics tools.
• Provide technical leadership to the team, driving the roadmap for achieving organizational Avionics development and tool qualification needs.
• Work with aircraft systems engineers and airborne software application teams to design and deliver solutions that integrate Avionics software for prototyping, implementation, and testing of avionics products.
• Collaborate using project management tools and processes defined by the organization.

Requirements

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
• U.S. Person required (U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).
• Project engineering experience leading medium or large-sized teams.
• Extensive experience in software engineering and its application to system architecture development.
• Experience with proposal preparation and formal bidding processes.
• Aerospace industry experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DO-330 qualified tools used in certification of Avionics software.
• Experience in both software and systems engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of related disciplines within the work area and ability to identify links and potential impact on projects, programs, or systems.
• Experience with engineering processes and procedures, including writing requirements, design and implementation, functional and integration testing.
• Familiarity with export of technical data and commodities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with 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, and parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning.
• Adoption Assistance and Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You Incentives and wellness rewards program.
• Doctor on Demand for virtual doctor visits.
• Bright Horizons for child and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts for second opinions.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $132,400 - $251,600 USD. The range provided is a good-faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

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 it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments are not guaranteed and depend on individual, business unit, and company performance.