Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-08-21

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

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.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

Collins Aerospace Resilient Connectivity Products (RCP) Engineering seeks a Principal Software Engineer to join the Platform Services Software Team who’s ready to make an impact. Our team solves defense customers’ toughest problems through rapidly developing, integrating, and demonstrating software solutions that employ cutting-edge signal processing and networking innovations.  We pride ourselves on creativity, facing challenging and complex problems head on, and pushing the limits of the possible – all to provide the Warfighter with the most responsive and disruptive capabilities that navigate the intersection of communications; position, navigation & timing (PNT); cyber space; and other radio frequency (RF) systems.

Here, you’ll collaborate with top-tier engineers and industry experts, leveraging advanced technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you're building trusted systems or breaking ground on new innovations, your contributions will directly support mission-critical operations across the globe.

Join Collins Aerospace and help us connect the battlespace of tomorrow!

What You Will Do

• Participate in the requirements, design, development and testing of software to include development of new work products or enhancement of existing applications and systems

• Design, code, test, integrate, and document software solutions

• Participate in internal review of software components and systems

• Collaborate with project managers and other professionals within Engineering

• Follow established development practices and processes to maintain the configuration management of software products

• Participate in the advancement of the software development environment and DevOps practices within Engineering

• Design and develop innovative solutions for communication, navigation, radar and electronic warfare applications

• Derive requirements for new concepts and systems from overall project goals
  Develop, champion and pursue new approaches and solutions

• Collaborate closely across multi-disciplinary teams to rapidly identify and implement innovative, effective solutions

• Create and deliver technical presentations that articulate design approaches and their relevance to project objectives

• Support assigned tasks with accountability for technical execution, cost, schedule, and design-to-cost/manufacturability targets

• Ability to travel up to 15%

Qualifications You Must Have

• Experience developing in modern programming languages (e.g. C++, Java) in a Linux environment

• Experience with rapid prototyping and development of software solutions

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and 8 years of prior relevant experience OR an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with embedded software development and software/hardware integration

• Experience with software defined radios (SDRs) or multi-function radio frequency (MFRF) systems

• Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) and Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) systems

• Experience with Object Oriented Design/Development and multithreading

• Experience with Agile/SCRUM, DevOps, and test automation practices

• Experience with using configuration management and defect tracking tools (Git, JIRA, etc.)

• Experience in software development, testing, and deployment in languages such as Python and C/C++

• Experience with software defined radios (SDRs) or multi-function radio frequency (MFRF) systems

• Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) and Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) systems

• Familiar with Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning techniques

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance preferred

What We Offer:

• 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!  

Relocation Eligibility

• Eligible for relocation

Learn More & Apply Now!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. 

* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for 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.

Employee Referral Eligible

#MISENG

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 Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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