Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Flight Execution...

The Processing, Guidance, and Control center is currently hiring for a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Flight Execution Lead position in Tucson, AZ to support the execution of the portfolio of current and upcoming missile programs. The Flight Execution Lead will provide technical leadership for a strategically important software upgrade that enhances the company’s long-term competitiveness and strengthens future program pursuits. This role oversees a cross-functional team of 25-30 engineers spanning Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), Flight Sciences, Operational Analysis (OA), Simulation, Performance, and Mission Planning software-disciplines that collectively define system flight behavior and mission execution.

Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Flight Execution Lead is responsible for unifying technical decisions across these areas, managing system-level risk, and ensuring all elements of flight behavior remain synchronized with program objectives and customer requirements. This position guides the development of advanced flight algorithms, integrated simulation environments, and mission-level logic essential to delivering the next generation capability. This role also includes Cost Account Management responsibilities, ensuring financial execution aligns with program scope, schedule, and technical commitments.

What You Will Do

• Provide unified leadership across all flight execution disciplines

• Ensure system-level coordination across GNC, OA, Simulation, Performance, and Mission Planning

• Drive development of advanced flight algorithms and mission-level system behaviors

• Maintain integrated simulation environments aligned with customer expectations

• Manage cross-disciplinary dependencies affecting flight dynamics and mission effectiveness

• Keep engineering efforts aligned to aggressive, customer-driven schedules

• Perform Cost Account Management duties, including planning, tracking, and reporting cost and schedule performance for assigned control accounts

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related STEM degree and a minimum of 10 years prior relevant experience

• Experience with fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, or applied aerodynamics

• Experience with High-Performance Computing workflows, distributed architectures, or cloud-based compute environments

• Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems

• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret U.S. government-issued Security Clearance prior to start, with ability to obtain special program access after start. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

• An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a STEM discipline

• Computational fluid dynamics and aerodynamic design experience across varied aerodynamic regimes (subsonic through hypersonic and non-continuum)

• Experience with CFD++ Strong communication skills for coordinating technical decisions across diverse engineering specialties

• Experience with Cadence Pointwise

• Experience with Tecplot, FieldView, or ParaView

• Experience with basic shell scripting or programming with Python

• Experience leading cross-disciplinary engineering teams (GNC, OA, Simulation, Performance, Mission Planning)

• Experience with development, integration, or verification of flight algorithms or mission-level logic

• Familiarity with system-level modeling, digital twin environments, or high-fidelity simulation architecture

• Experience with system engineering practices including requirements development, interface control, and verification/validation

• Experience managing technical risk across large, multi-disciplinary teams

• Background in Agile or iterative software development processes

• Understanding of mission analysis, weapons effectiveness, or operational scenario modeling

• Experience with Cost Account Management (EVMS, planning, tracking, and reporting control account performance)

The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.

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.

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Our mission is to develop best in industry technologies that align product capabilities to the needs of our customer. We empower our employees to leverage design commonality and innovation, balancing risk and rigor, to achieve predictable and affordable solutions.