Software Engineer (Hybrid)

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a global aerospace and defense technology leader delivering advanced solutions for civilian, military, and government customers. The company develops intelligent, mission-critical systems across aerospace, defense, communications, and space applications. The Integrated Secure Processing Solutions (SPS) team develops complex software and communications technologies that support critical missions in demanding operational environments.

About the Role

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Lead Engineer – Secure Communications to provide technical leadership for mission-critical embedded software programs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This role combines advanced embedded software engineering, technical leadership, program execution, cost and schedule management, risk management, and customer requirements analysis. The successful candidate will lead software execution for small engineering teams while contributing to proposals, program estimates, architecture development, and delivery of secure communications solutions.

This is an onsite position and requires an active and transferable SECRET security clearance prior to the start date. U.S. citizenship is required for security-clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

Embedded Software Engineering

• Provide technical leadership throughout the embedded software development lifecycle.
• Apply advanced expertise in C/C++ and Python to develop reliable, high-performance software solutions.
• Support requirements analysis, software architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification, and maintenance.
• Develop solutions for complex systems combining commercial and military communications functionality.
• Apply software engineering best practices to mission-critical embedded applications.
• Support multi-threaded, real-time embedded software development and system integration.

Technical & Program Leadership

• Lead and coordinate software development activities for small engineering teams.
• Provide technical direction while maintaining alignment with program cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives.
• Translate customer requirements into practical, scalable, end-to-end technical solutions.
• Lead technical discussions and collaborate with engineering, program management, and customer stakeholders.
• Support product ownership, scope management, and backlog prioritization.

Proposal & Cost Management

• Lead technical proposal development during bid and proposal activities.
• Prepare detailed program-level cost estimates.
• Support proposal strategy and technical solution development.
• Manage Cost Account Management responsibilities across engineering teams.
• Support Integrated Master Schedule development and execution for multi-year programs.

Risk & Program Execution

• Track program performance across cost, schedule, technical execution, and risk.
• Apply Earned Value Management principles to monitor program performance.
• Identify technical and program risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Manage risk and opportunity frameworks for complex engineering programs.
• Communicate program status, risks, opportunities, and recovery plans to stakeholders.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Cost Account Management for engineering teams.
• Experience developing and managing an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for a multi-year program.
• Experience using risk and opportunity management frameworks for complex program execution.
• Experience performing Product Owner responsibilities, including scope and backlog management.
• Strong experience with embedded software engineering.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Strong technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Active and transferable SECRET security clearance required before start date.
• U.S. citizenship required due to security-clearance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing multi-threaded, real-time embedded applications.
• Experience leading technical proposals and competitive bidding activities.
• Experience with the SEER parametric estimation tool.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies.
• Experience providing technical leadership within Agile teams.
• Experience developing TCP/IP network applications.
• Knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML).
• Experience with secure or cross-domain communication solutions.
• Experience supporting complex aerospace and defense systems.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, requirements management, and system integration.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and technical decision-making abilities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching and additional employer retirement contributions.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan repayment programs.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Paid parental and family-related leave programs.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including counseling resources.
• Wellness rewards through Healthy You Incentives.
• Virtual healthcare services.
• Child and elder care support through Bright Horizons.
• Optional pet, home, auto, legal, identity theft, and additional insurance programs.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Sign-on bonus eligibility.

Pay

Salary Range: $107,500–$204,500 per year

Final compensation may vary based on experience, location, education, skills, responsibilities, and other applicable factors.