Principal Software Engineer - Advanced Simulation & Training Systems; Onsite

Principal Software Engineer – Advanced Simulation & Training Systems (Onsite)

We are searching for a Principal Software Engineer to join our team in Sterling, VA within the Strategic Defense Solutions (SDS) business area. Our teams develop and build highly realistic simulators and training systems for both military and commercial customers, delivering specialized training for demanding aviation roles.

In this position you will become a technical subject matter expert for the design, implementation, and testing of complex multi‑platform training device software and their associated user interfaces. The role requires an active U.S. security clearance and a daily onsite presence in a classified lab environment.

• Design, develop, integrate, and test software on cross‑functional agile teams to deliver solutions within budget, scope, and schedule constraints.
• Exhibit ownership of and accountability for committed objectives.
• Assist in analysis and decomposition of features.
• Make and influence decisions which impact cost, schedule, and technical performance at a program level.
• Perform multi‑threaded software debugging.
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Mentor early‑career engineering peers to advance their ability to contribute to team objectives.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities in your everyday work - be a positive focal for your team, recognize peers’ accomplishments, and help onboard junior team members.
• Perform and lead bidding and proposal activities to support acquisition of new business.
• Contribute to software and systems engineering requirements capture and analysis.
• Travel to domestic and international customer sites to support training events and product installations.

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Active and transferable U.S. government‑issued security clearance is required prior to start date.
• Must have previous experience working with C++.
• Experience with agile development practices and general software engineering design principles.

• Prior experience with training simulations.
• Familiarity with common training and avionics protocols (ARINC
  429, ARINC
  610, MIL‑STD‑1553, etc.).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux development environments.
• Candidate exhibits leader‑like qualities and has a willingness to share knowledge and build up peers.
• Experience using Visual Studio.
• Familiarity with Dev Sec Ops  and Agile development methodologies.
• Strong OOP and C++ language skills including STL, templates.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Perl, etc.).
• Usage of source code control tools (Git, SVN, Clear Case, etc.).
• Usage of ALM tools (JIRA, Confluence, Crucible).
• Usage of Git Lab CI/CD tools within software development processes.

• Salary range: $118,300 – $224,900 USD.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching 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 such as pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal,  protection.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits (including Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning). Adoption Assistance.
• Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You incentives and wellness rewards program.
• Doctor on Demand and virtual doctor visits.
• Bright Horizons and child and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts and second‑opinion program.
• Eligible for relocation assistance.

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, 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.