Discipline Lead, Artificial Intelligence

RTX; East Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellness

Retirement

Flexible work schedules

Career development

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Discipline Leader for Artificial Intelligence in the Intelligent & Cyber Physical Systems group at RTRC in East Hartford, CT. This hybrid role leads autonomous systems and AI engineering initiatives, shaping strategy, staff growth, and partnerships with internal and external customers.

The position emphasizes technical leadership, talent development, and delivering world-class research capabilities while guiding budgets and resource planning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience with a university degree or equivalent.
• Advanced degree with at least 10 years in an applied research environment.
• At least 6 years of AI-related experience across autonomous systems, analytics and AI engineering

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in autonomous collaborative systems, advanced learning & analytics, and AI systems engineering.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for capabilities, staff, facilities, and partnerships.
• Collaborate with program offices and technical teams to develop innovative solutions for RTX units and external customers.
• Hire, mentor, and evaluate staff; conduct performance reviews and career planning.
• Oversee environmental health and safety in offices and labs; plan indirect budgets and meet financial targets.
• Own long-term strategy and operational direction for the discipline; ensure best-in-class assets.
• Think strategically about next-generation technologies and staffing plans.
• Support RTX business units and external CRAD awards with government agencies.
• Manage/monitor/maintain labs, equipment, software tools; provide growth opportunities for junior staff.
• Manage project finances and mentor others; communicate with executive leadership

Skills

Autonomous collaborative systems

Advanced learning & analytics

AI systems engineering

Education

University degree or equivalent

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-02 Country: United States of America Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-RTRC A ~ 411 Silver Ln ~ RTRC A Role Type: Hybrid U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: 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 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. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Position Overview

The Intelligent & Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS) department at RTRC invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Discipline Leader, Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership in the core technology areas of autonomous collaborative systems, advanced learning & analytics, and AI systems engineering
• Capability Development: Develop and implement a strategic vision for the capabilities under their responsibility including staff, facilities, and external partnerships
• Work closely with program offices and technical teams across the organization to develop innovative solutions in support of RTX business units' needs, as well as grow RTRC's engagements with its external customers
• Staff Development: Hire, mentor, and motivate world class technical talent; conduct employee performance reviews and individual development/career planning
• Operations: Responsible for environmental health and safety in offices and labs, planning and executing indirect budgets, meeting financial targets
• Owns, develops, and executes on long-term strategy and operational direction for the discipline
• Ensure best in class technical assets and discipline health to perform world class research programs
• Think strategically about next-generation technologies
• Responsible for creating workforce and staffing plans
• Support engagement with RTX business units and develop technical solutions
• Support external Customer Research & Development (CRAD) awards with government agencies to augment research portfolio
• Manage/monitor/maintain labs, lab equipment, software tools
• Provide opportunities for junior staff to own increasingly larger pieces of a research portfolio – this leader is successful when our BU customers ask for staff members by name
• Manage project financials and mentor others in doing so
• Communicate with and influence executive leadership

Qualifications

You Must Have.

• A University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience, or
• An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years experience in an applied research environment, or
• equivalent education and experience
• Minimum of 6 years related experience in artificial intelligence, including one or more fields spanning autonomous collaborative systems, advanced learning & analytics, and AI systems engineering

We Prefer

• Demonstrated people management experience, including the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deliver to challenging technical objectives through creative problem solving and innovative thinking
• Experience in the application of analytical skills to the development of new technology
• Demonstrated ability to build strong customer relationships
• Excellent analytical and technical leadership skills
• Exceptional project management and communication skills
• Record of technical contributions including patents and publications
• Willingness to put scientific rigor and team work ahead of self-interests, shares credit appropriately, ability to grow continuously by admitting to and learning from mistakes
• Ability to fully grasp the needs of the customer, help them to better understand and articulate their need, and support other team members in developing this skillset

What We Offer

• Healthcare
• Wellness
• Retirement
• Work/life benefits
• Career development and recognition programs
• Parental (including paternal) leave
• Flexible work schedules
• Achievement awards
• Educational assistance and child/adult backup care
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program
• Paid time off and holidays
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.