Principal Software Engineer - Air Traffic Systems (Onsite)

Date Posted:
2026-03-23
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-CA-FULLERTON-676 ~ 1801 Hughes Dr ~ BLDG 676
Position Role Type:
Onsite
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Security Clearance Type:
None/Not Required
Security Clearance Status:
Not Required

Our Connected Aviation group offers an exciting opportunity to join our elite Air Traffic Systems (ATS) team as a Principal Software Engineer. This is your chance to contribute to the cutting-edge Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) developed by the FAA, a pivotal element in the transition from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. In this role, you will lead the design, development, integration, and verification of both operational and test software, playing a crucial role in advancing the FAA's satellite navigation roadmap and ensuring the safety of civil aviation.

What You Will Do:

• You will lead and participate on software teams designing, developing, and testing real-time safety-critical operational software, including non-operational tools development.
• You will collaborate with the software and leadership teams to support cost and schedule objectives, ensuring project goals are met efficiently.
• You will support both formal and informal software integration and test activities, contributing to the seamless deployment of software solutions.
• You will assist in software qualification testing to meet DO-178B standards for requirements-based verification and robustness testing, ensuring compliance and quality.
• You will update software process documentation and work instructions to align with DO-178B standards and company processes, maintaining accurate and current documentation.
• You will revise documentation related to test, verification, and design activities to ensure all aspects of the software development life cycle are well-documented and up to date.

What You Will Learn:

• You will gain expertise in architecting and designing real-time safety critical programs in satellite-based air traffic systems, impacting civil aviation domestically and internationally.
• You will acquire comprehensive knowledge of the product life cycle of safety critical systems, from initial design to deployment, within a dynamic and innovative team environment.
• You will develop skills essential for shaping the future of aviation technology, contributing directly to advancements in civil aviation globally.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• 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 have a minimum of 8 years of experience in the Software Engineering field, specifically within a Unix/Linux environment, with expertise in C Programming, structured programming, and the full software development lifecycle.
• Must have prior experience with Embedded and/or Real-Time Safety Critical software development, demonstrating your ability to handle critical and high-stakes projects.
• Must have prior experience in software testing (Unit Test, Integration Test, System Test, etc.) and source code debugging, including the use of debuggers, to ensure thorough and effective software quality assurance.
• Must have prior experience in source code configuration management systems such as ClearCase/ClearQuest, Jira, or BitBucket/Git, as well as requirements management systems like DOORS, to manage and streamline development processes efficiently.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Prior experience with C99 dialect of C, Python, SQL, MATLAB, bash/ksh/Perl scripting.
• Prior experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), especially kernel development.
• Prior experience with VxWorks Operating Systems.
• Prior WAAS Experience and/or familiarity with WAAS processes and procedures.
• Prior knowledge of safety-critical software requirements/DO-178B standards.
• Cost Account Management (CAM) certification.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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!

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 118,300 USD - 224,900 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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