Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux – Foundation Software

Date Posted:
2026-10-22


Country:
United States of America


Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130


Position Role Type:
Onsite


U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.


Security Clearance Type:
None/Not Required


Security Clearance Status:
Not Required
At Collins Aerospace, we are committed to solving the most complex challenges in aviation—advancing the performance, safety, and intelligence of the airborne systems used across commercial and military platforms. Our Foundation Software organization plays a critical role in delivering the trusted, high‑integrity software layers that power next‑generation avionics systems.
We are seeking a Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux to join our Foundation Software team. In this role, you will develop and maintain core embedded Linux components supporting airborne equipment across both commercial and military avionics programs.
You will collaborate with engineering teams across multiple global sites and disciplines, working from concept through certification and deployment. This position offers the opportunity to influence system architecture, contribute to new product development, and support a wide range of avionics platforms requiring robust, secure, and mission-ready software foundations.
What You Will Do
• Design, develop, and enhance customized Linux‑based operating environments, including build toolchains, kernels, root filesystems, bootloaders, device drivers, and board support packages (BSPs) for diverse airborne hardware platforms
• Provide technical leadership for embedded Linux development activities, including design planning, code implementation, integration, testing, and long‑term sustainment
• Lead and support complex hardware–software integration efforts, performing detailed root‑cause analyses to resolve system‑level issues
• Prepare software builds for use in simulation environments, reference platforms, and target avionics hardware; ensure alignment with applicable Collins Aerospace engineering processes, safety standards, and development tools
• Generate engineering estimates for changes, enhancements, and issue resolutions; contribute to planning and execution within Agile development teams
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
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• Proficient Linux command‑line experience
• Previous experience working with embedded C/C++ development skills
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash and Python
• Hands‑on experience with hardware bring‑up and target hardware integration
Qualifications We Prefer
• Previous experience with developing and maintaining BSPs for embedded systems
• Experience with version control systems including Git and SVN
• Experience building custom Linux distributions using Buildroot
• Background developing software for avionics, aerospace, defense, or other regulated/safety‑critical industries
• Contributions to open-source software projects
• Experience working in an Agile development environment
• Familiarity with the Robot Framework for automated testing
• Experience coding in Rust
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!
This role is eligible for relocation.
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