Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Date Posted:

2026-07-01

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108

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. Our Applied Research & Technology is Collins’ startup-style innovation engine. Small, focused teams explore, prototype, and demonstrate new technologies for next-generation aerospace and defense systems. You get the freedom to experiment and move fast, with access to world-class labs, data, and the product teams that can field what you build. 

The Defense Technologies segment turns emerging concepts into mission-ready capabilities for contested environments. We build resilient communications and navigation solutions, secure and cyber-resilient avionics, advanced sensing, and autonomous technologies for warfighters. You work close to real missions, with clear paths to prove ideas in the lab, at the range, and on platforms. 

As a Senior Software Engineer, you join a small, high-impact team on the cutting edge of next-generation wireless networking, bringing emerging and innovative solutions out of the lab and into our products in the field.

 In this role, you will work on challenges that stretch your skills, boost your influence, and accelerate career growth in the key areas below:

• Develop technology rapidly on small, focused teams backed by world-class labs and the resources of a major aerospace company
• Innovate end-to-end: from concept formation and modeling to prototypes, demos, and transitions to product teams 
• Tackle complex, open-ended problems at the intersection of resilient networking and embedded software
• Collaborate with sharp engineers and researchers across Collins, RTX, universities, labs, and innovative small businesses
• Influence the future of our technology through contributions to  architectures, roadmaps, proposals, patents, and publications
   

What You Will Do 

• Lead the design, development, and integration of advanced resilient networking software systems and architectures
• Lead small groups of engineers (2-3 individuals) on programs’ technical aspects, including overseeing design, build, test, and demonstration
• Train and oversee efforts of less experienced engineers
• Architect and drive execution across the full software lifecycle — concept, modeling, implementation, integration, field demo, and program transition
• Frame problems and translate mission needs into testable technical objectives
• Design and run experiments; analyze results to iterate on concepts and implementations
• Capture architectures, designs, test results, and lessons learned for reuse
• Evaluate networking technologies such as MANET protocols, secure routing techniques, and adaptive mesh architectures
• Contribute to proposals, white papers, and technical briefings
• Travel required up to 15% time

Qualifications You Must Have 

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience
• 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 
• At least 3+ years of embedded software development (C, C++, Rust, Python, Bash). 
  Proficient with modern build systems (Make, CMake, SCons) and version control tools (Git, SVN) in complex or realtime embedded environments
• Background in embedded Linux systems, networked applications, networking stack implementation, or BSP development
• Understanding of modern networking technologies including IPv4/IPv6, routing protocols, multicast, NAT, TCP/UDP, OLSR, OSPF, PIM, IPSec, VPN, QoS, and ACLs
• Experience defining system-level requirements and creating scalable software architectures

Qualifications We Prefer 

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above)
• Experience with MANETs, Tactical Data Links, or distributed network systems. 
  Experience integrating embedded software with FPGA/firmware systems
• Understanding of RF concepts, waveform interactions, and cross-layer impacts on networking performance
• Experience transitioning technology from R&D (TRL 3–6) into products. 
  Excellent communication skills and ability to convey complex concepts to stakeholders

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!  

Learn More & Apply Now!  

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).  

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.  

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of. 

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to 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. 

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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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