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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Principal Engineer - Foundation Software (Onsite) - **Company:** RTX - **Location:** Cedar Rapids, IA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $132,400.0 - $251,600.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Board Bringup, Abstraction Layers, Booting (BIOS), C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Embedded Software, Firmware, Hardware Security Module, Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Linux Kernel, Real-Time Operating Systems, Security Software, System Programming, System Software, Cloud Platform System, Hardware Testing, U-Boot, Software Coding - **Published:** July 8, 2026 - **Apply:** https://globalhr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/REC_RTX_Ext_Gateway/job/US-IA-CEDAR-RAPIDS-131--5450-C-Ave-NE--BLDG-131/Senior-Principal-Engineer---Foundation-Software--Onsite-_01856329 ## About the Role This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of "U.S. Person" go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62, * Knowledge of secure boot design, bootloader architecture, cryptographic trust models, and hardware security modules * Extensive experience with embedded systems, firmware development, and low-level platform software * Hands-on experience with hardware board bring-up, processor initialization, and debugging tools (JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.) * Strong proficiency in C/C++ and low-level software development, including register-level programming * Deep understanding of processor architectures, SoC subsystems, memory interfaces, and hardware abstraction layers * Experience leading engineering teams, providing architectural direction, and driving complex multi-disciplinary tasks * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience, * Experience with ARM TrustZone, TPM, TEE, or equivalent secure processing technologies * Familiarity with Linux kernel, RTOS bring-up, and U-Boot or custom bootloaders * Experience with security certification, compliance, or platform hardening methodologies. * Background in safety-critical or mission-critical embedded systems ## Description The foundation software team has an opening for a highly experienced technical leader responsible for architecting, implementing, and validating the platform control unit software. This role spans silicon-level initialization, bootloader development, secure boot, trusted execution environments, hardware root of trust, firmware security, and low-level board bring-up. It requires cross-functional leadership with hardware, systems, and software teams. What You Will Do: * Define the architecture, requirements, and technical roadmap for PCU firmware and low-level platform software * Lead a team through the design and implementation of secure boot, hardware root-of-trust, key provisioning, and platform trust mechanisms * Guide bring-up efforts for the processing platform, including bootloader initialization, BSP development, driver bring-up, and hardware validation * Provide technical leadership to a team of embedded software, security, and hardware-interface engineers * Collaborate closely with hardware designers to define processor initialization flows, power management states, and silicon interaction models * Participate in the development and review of threat modeling, security reviews, and architectural risk assessments for platform boot and control paths * Drive debugging and root-cause analysis of complex hardware-software interactions * Oversee integration of PCU firmware with system software, OS, and higher-level platform components * Help to establish coding standards, design best practices, and documentation for platform and security software * Serve as a technical point of contact for internal and external partners and vendors * Mentor engineering teams and set technical direction for platform security ## Related Videos - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [An Applied Introduction to eBPF with Go](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1075-an-applied-introduction-to-ebpf-with-go) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Into the hive of eBPF!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1199-into-the-hive-of-ebpf) - [Agent Smith Gets Hardware: Autonomous IoT Hacking From Debug Port to Cloud API](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100258-agent-smith-gets-hardware-autonomous-iot-hacking-from-debug-port-to-cloud-api) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) ## Related Articles - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers)