Principal Software Project Engineer - Advanced Processing Architectures

• 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.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. The company will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role

• Able to lead large software or multi‑discipline engineering teams with complex interdependencies. 

• Experience in software development, integration, verification, or systems‑level coordination of software deliverables. 

• Experience managing technical software projects including schedule execution, risk management, issue resolution, and customer interaction. 

• Experience meeting engineering goals, commitments, and schedule targets. 

• Able of working with individual contributors, senior engineers, program leadership, and external customers. 

• Experience with avionics regulatory and certification workflows (DO‑178C, DO‑160, ARP4754A, DO‑297). 

• Background in embedded software, real‑time operating systems, or avionics processing platforms. 

• Experience with software integration labs, automated test environments, or CI‑aligned verification workflows. 

• Leading customer discussions, proposals, technical reviews, and bid strategy. 

• Ability to balance software performance, safety, and affordability within project constraints. 

• Ability to mentor, influence, and drive team performance in a highly collaborative engineering environment.

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.

The Avionics Computing Products team has an opening for a Principal Software Project Engineer (P4). As a pivotal member of the department, you will partner with systems, software, electrical, mechanical, and specialty engineers to drive disciplined software execution on a clean sheet design. You will lead the planning, coordination, and technical direction of software deliverables that enable next‑generation commercial avionics platforms. 

You will bring strong software lifecycle knowledge together with systems‑level thinking to ensure predictable, high‑quality technical outcomes. As the engineering project leader for assigned software work packages, you will serve as the primary point of contact for technical leadership and project execution within the guidelines set by program leadership and Chief Engineers. This role requires an ability to navigate complex software dependencies, lifecycle workflows, integration environments, and certification‑aligned development processes while coordinating closely with program management, peer engineers, and customers. 

Technical Leadership & Software Coordination 

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  Lead daily execution of software engineering activities across planning, development, integration, verification, and sustainment. 

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  Ensure consistency across software requirements, interfaces, ICDs, configuration baselines, and engineering artifacts. 

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  Work under the technical direction of the Project Chief Engineer. 

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  Drive alignment across systems, software, hardware, and integration teams to ensure cohesive and predictable execution. 

Project Planning, Execution & Controls 

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  Develop detailed software plans including named tasks, resource needs, schedules, and cost estimates. 

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  Lead execution of IMS, ISAT, Work Packages, and software engineering backlogs. 

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  Identify cost, schedule, and technical risks early; recommend mitigation strategies and lead recovery efforts when needed. 

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  Define and maintain software task sequencing, dependencies, and integration touchpoints. 

Software Integration, Verification & Dependency Management 

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  Coordinate software integration events, lab activities, and test plans aligned with verification, validation, and certification workflows. 

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  Maintain disciplined weekly tracking of giver/receiver dependencies, ensuring upstream and downstream teams remain synchronized. 

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  Guide teams in resolving software defects, integration issues, and technical blockers to maintain schedule fidelity. 

Scope Definition, Proposals & Customer Engagement 

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  Support technical inputs for bids, proposals, SOWs, and customer presentations related to software scope. 

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  Ensure software assumptions, constraints, deliverables, and risk positions are clearly articulated. 

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  Represent software engineering status, challenges, and milestones confidently to program leadership and customers. 

Communication, Reporting & Team Cadence 

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  Deliver clear, concise software project status to Project Chief Engineers, Program Management, and key stakeholders. 

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  Ensure software risks, issues, and dependencies are visible and tracked to closure. 

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  Lead weekly software cadence meetings, distributing high‑quality written summaries of tasks, forecasts, and critical actions.

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  Provide strategic guidance when schedule or scope pressures arise, enabling the team to stay aligned with program milestones. 

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Avionics delivers advanced cockpit displays, vision systems, and comprehensive digital solutions for global government, commercial and business aviation customers. We provide connectivity and managed data services to ensure safety and seamless communication for passengers, crews, and militaries, from aircraft and airports to air traffic management. Join us in creating solutions that connect the world, one flight at a time. Start your application today.

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