Senior Software Engineer – Tactical Data and Autonomy (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-05-21 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-108 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 108 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1 At RTX, the world 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. As a Senior Software Enginee r in Cedar Rapids, IA, you will work on advanced data layer and orchestration technologies that enable distributed autonomous systems to operate in complex tactical environments. This role focuses on developing mission-adaptive software, real-time intelligence workflows, and resilient decision-support capabilities that allow platforms to seamlessly share, prioritize, and act on critical information in DDIL (Denied, Disconnected, Intermittent, and Latent) environments. You will contribute to advanced architectures supporting cross-platform coordination, autonomous mission execution, dynamic information flow, and resilient system behaviors across highly integrated aerospace and defense platforms. This is an opportunity to work on high-impact technologies that are shaping the future of autonomous operations and next-generation mission systems. What You Will Do Design and implement adaptive data layer components that manage how mission-critical information is collected, processed, prioritized, and shared across distributed autonomous platforms in communications-limited environments Develop platform processing pipelines that apply machine learning–based analytics and sensemaking to transform raw sensor data into actionable mission intelligence at the tactical edge Build decentralized orchestration and coordination capabilities enabling multi-platform collaboration, dynamic task distribution, sensing workload management, and resilient mission execution Implement mission-adaptive routing, synchronization, and information flow logic optimized for DDIL operational environments Develop intelligent decision-support mechanisms using predictive analytics, reinforcement learning-inspired behaviors, and value-of-information methodologies Support integration, simulation, and validation activities within laboratory and faster-than-real-time experimentation environments to evaluate orchestration performance and system adaptability under realistic mission conditions Collaborate across engineering teams to develop scalable, resilient autonomous system architectures supporting next-generation aerospace and defense missions 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 Experience developing software in languages such as Python, C++, Go, or Rust Experience working with APIs, machine-to-machine communication frameworks, or cross-platform system integration Experience developing or deploying containerized applications using technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, or similar orchestration platforms Qualifications We Prefer  Distributed systems experience (data processing, event-driven or microservices, or low-latency architectures in constrained environments) Experience integrating AI/ML or analytics into operational or real-time software systems Experience with autonomous systems, multi-agent coordination, or mission-aware software architectures Experience working in communications-constrained, distributed, or resilient system environments Experience with modeling/simulation tools (AFSIM, RCADE) and/or DoD mission interfaces and standards (UDL, OMS, etc.) What We Offer    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!   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 st