Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Platform and Foundation Software; Onsite

Principal Embedded Platform Software Engineer Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

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.

• Lead the design and development of embedded platform software for processor control, power management, system health monitoring, and hardware coordination
• Architect and integrate secure boot flows, platform security mechanisms, and trusted initialization paths
• Develop and guide implementation of low-level drivers, HAL layers, diagnostics, and bring-up tools for new processing hardware
• Drive early embedded software development using virtual platforms (simulation, emulation, FPGA prototypes) prior to hardware availability
• Provide technical leadership and oversight to subcontract suppliers developing bootloaders, BSPs, and secure startup software
• Lead integration and validation of RTOS/BSP deliverables, including Wind River Helix components
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and SoC/MPSoC design teams to define hardware-software interfaces and drive architectural decisions
• Lead debugging and resolution of complex hardware/software interaction issues across pre-silicon and post-silicon phases
• Support certification activities by contributing to design documentation, requirements traceability, verification strategies, and safety-critical artifacts
• Drive improvements in software processes, automation, pipelined build/test workflows, and development efficiency
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, foster collaboration, and coordinate small team efforts
• Identify risks, propose innovative solutions, and influence long-term platform strategy

• 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
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and embedded systems architecture
• Experience with SoC/MPSoC platform software (experience with ASIC-based platforms strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated experience leading small teams or technical work streams
• Experience with virtual development environments (simulation, emulation, QEMU, FPGA prototypes)
• Hands-on experience with driver development, hardware bring-up, and system initialization flows
• Background in avionics-related capabilities such as system health monitoring, BIT, redundancy management, or deterministic scheduling
• Strong knowledge of secure boot concepts, platform security, and trusted execution fundamentals
• Experience working with pipelined build and test environments (CI/CD, automated build/test pipelines)
• Solid understanding of register-level hardware interfaces, interrupts, and reset flows
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional teams

• Experience with Wind River Helix RTOS or similar safety-critical real-time operating systems
• Experience contributing to or leading avionics certification or safety-critical development processes
• Experience guiding early-boot or secure startup software development
• Experience driving process improvements, workflow automation, or architectural modernization initiatives
• Experience coordinating with external suppliers or integrating third-party bootloaders, BSPs, or RTOS deliverables

• 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…