EO/IR Principal Systems Engineer

Prattwhitney; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) match

Flexible work schedules

Paid time off

Job summary

Raytheon’s Naval Airborne Systems seeks an EO/IR Principal Systems Engineer to provide SME level EO/IR sensor expertise and analysis for multiple programs. The role is onsite in Plano, TX, and requires U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities include guiding EO/IR sensor designs with cross‑functional teams, developing mode algorithms on processing platforms, and mentoring junior engineers in the EO/IR group.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of relevant work or academic experience in optical design and algorithm development.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced EO/IR sensor and mode performance knowledge.

Skills

EO/IR sensor knowledge

EO/IR design guidance

Algorithm development

C/C++ programming

Performance analysis

Mentor junior engineers

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

UNIX/Linux

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-13 Country: United States of America Location: US-TX-PLANO-465 ~ 465 Independence Pkwy ~ INDEPENDENCE Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Top Secret Security Clearance Status: Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring 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. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Raytheon’s Naval Airborne Systems (NAS), a sub strategic business unit within Naval Power, seeks an EO/IR Principal Systems Engineer to provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) level technical Electro-Optics/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensor expertise and analysis to several programs or Internal Research and Development (IRAD) efforts on the family of Advanced Sensor Programs. The position will reside in the Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities Center within the Airborne Surveillance RF department.

This is an Onsite role located in Plano, Texas.

What You Will Do:

• Apply advanced EO/IR sensor and mode performance knowledge.
• Guide new EO/IR sensor designs in collaboration with hardware and systems engineering teams.
• Utilize software development skills to create and implement new mode algorithms on advanced processing platforms and provide technical leadership to a small team of algorithm and modeling analysts.
• Perform performance analysis, algorithm development and evaluation, trade studies, statistical modeling, performance prediction, and data analysis for complex systems using Raytheon engineering processes and standards.
• Work effectively as part of a cross-functional team while offering SME-level guidance and mentorship to junior engineers within the EO/IR group.
• Communicate effectively through interpersonal interactions, presentations, and written and verbal communication.
• Mentor junior engineers within the EO/IR group.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of relevant work or academic experience in optical design and algorithm development.
• Imaging EO/IR systems, physics, image signal processing, or discrimination algorithms.
• UNIX/Linux and demonstrated computer programming skills in C or C++ and using MATLAB or Python for data analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Active Top-Secret clearance with investigation within five years.
• Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
• Experience developing signal processing algorithms for airborne surveillance application.
• Background in signal and image processing, digital communications, detection and estimation theory, or AI/ML and training techniques.
• Real-time programming, software change management tools, and processes.
• Mathematical modeling and analytical problem‑solving.
• Ability to lead and manage a small technical team of three or more individuals.

What We Offer:

• Safety
• Trust
• Respect
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Relocation Eligible – relocation assistance available for this position
• 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
• Holidays
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs
• 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.

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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.