Principal Software Design Quality Assurance (DQA) Engineer (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA)

Date Posted:

2026-09-23

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-131 ~ 5450 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 131

 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 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 Design Quality Assurance group (DQA) is looking for an experienced Principal Software Quality Assurance Enginee r who is interested in using their technical skills and experience to ensure Collins Aerospace design quality meets plans, standards, and requirements. As a DQA team member, you will help ensure new product designs meet or exceed requirements, engineering plans and development standards are followed, customer and regulatory agency requirements are understood and met, and defects are identified and eliminated prior to transition to production.

You should be capable of advising project teams and leadership of design quality trends and systemic issues, working with organizations to investigate issues, and providing recommended corrective actions as needed to achieve design and development objectives for high quality designs. This position requires the applicant to have a thorough understanding of and demonstrated experience in engineering design and development process and methods, industry standards and regulations, requirements analysis and capture, integration, test, and engineering documentation for certification.

This role will be worked onsite in Cedar Rapids, IA. Relocation assistance is available.

What You Will Do:

Audit Avionics development programs for compliance with Engineering Plans, Standards, and customer/regulatory requirements

Conduct Stages of Involvement (SOI) audits from planning through certification

Review requirements, software, test cases and other SOI artifacts to ensure alignment with program plans and standards

Document, track, and manage audit findings, collaborating with Engineering and program leadership to drive resolution

Ensure Engineering teams follow defined plans and processes throughout the product development lifecycle

Tailor quality management activities and plans to fit specific program needs and industry standards

Collaborate with Engineering to identify and resolve non‑conformances and process deviations

Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance product quality and program execution

Present quality review activities and findings to customers and regulatory authorities

Qualifications You Must Have:

Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

Experience with industry and regulatory standards such as DO‑178B/C, DO‑330, DO‑331, and AS9100D

Experience with software planning, development, and verification processes

Qualifications We Prefer:

Experience applying industry and regulatory standards such as DO‑178B/C, DO‑330, DO‑331, DO‑297, ARP4754A/B, and AS9100D to avionics design and development projects

Experience working in an Agile development environment (e.g., SAFe)

Experience supporting internal and external customer reviews and AS9100 audits

Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS and JAMA

Proficiency with Atlassian development tools (e.g., JIRA)

Experience with configuration management systems

Experience working directly with regulatory agencies

Knowledge of aerospace industry practices, manufacturing processes, and associated workflows

Experience leading or mentoring a team

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

Carrot 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, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

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.

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 107,500 USD - 204,500 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-t