Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Chief Engineer

globalhr; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Eligibility

Benefits package

Job summary

RTX in Tucson, AZ seeks an IOC Chief Engineer to lead a 150+ engineer team in developing, integrating and testing a complex multi-sensor RF seeker system. You will own technical execution for a multi-year contract, chair review boards, and coordinate with customers and test facilities to meet demanding milestones.

Requirements include a STEM degree with 10+ years of experience, Chief Engineer level expertise, and active Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of ten (10) years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations.
• Experience as a Level 4 or higher Chief Engineer.
• Active and transferable Top Secret U.S. government-issued security clearance is required prior to start date, with the ability to obtain special program access after start date, if applicable. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team of 150+ engineers to design, develop, integrate, and qualify a complex multi-sensor RF seeker system.
• Own technical execution to meet milestones defined in a multi-million contract.
• Chair Engineering Review Boards and Configuration Control Boards; coordinate with program leadership and customers.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Program management

RF systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-06

Country: United States of America

Location: US-AZ-TUCSON-9030 CORRIDOR ~ 9030 S Rita Rd ~ BLDG 9030 CORRIDOR, AZ201 Tucson Rita Road M30

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: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

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.

This position is on site in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do

The IOC Chief Engineer (CE) will lead a multi-disciplined engineering team to complete development, integration and test of a complex multi-sensor RF seeker system. Key aspects of these efforts are:

• Manage technical execution efforts to complete scope defined in a $XXXM contract.
• Be responsible as the engineering member of the program leadership team to establish and achieve business milestones.
• Lead a team of 150+ engineers to achieve technical solutions meeting customer requirements.
• Lead the team to complete advanced algorithm and software development and qualification activities.
• Lead the team to design, develop and integrate on host platform a captive flight test system that demonstrates operation of the complex multi-sensor RF seeker system and meets customer requirements allowing sell-off of the captive flight test system to the customer.
• Coordinate and collaborate with customer owned/operated national test facilities to complete development and integration test activities.
• Complete all activities in a complex contract environment where many efforts have multiple contract dependencies and customers, where actively leading some of the customers leaders is paramount to success due to their siloed organization or experience in complex development efforts.
• Prepare and participate in communication of efforts up to the SSBU Vice President level (internally) and up to the deputy PAE level (externally).
• The IOC CE interfaces directly with the Program Manager and has direct oversight of three IPT Leads, and frequent interaction with five other IPT Leads.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of ten (10) years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations.
• Experience as a Level 4 or higher Chief Engineer.
• Experience leading multi-disciplined engineering teams, chairing Engineering Review Boards (ERBs) and Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), leading Failure Review Boards (FRBs), and have experience in production.
• Active and transferable Top Secret U.S. government-issued security clearance is required prior to start date, with the ability to obtain special program access after start date, if applicable. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in Root-Cause Corrective Action investigations and FRACAS processes.
• Knowledge and experience with leading design reviews, Material Review Board, Process Configuration Control Board, and Configuration Control Board, Test Readiness Reviews, Test Data Reviews, Consent to Ship Reviews.
• Experience in resolving issues discovered during SW integration with hardware.
• Experience managing cost and schedule.

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Relocation Eligibility.

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.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect 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 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.