Principal Converged Cyber Research Scientist

Prattwhitney; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Pension

Parental leave

Education assistance

Flexible schedules

Job summary

RTX BBN Technologies in Arlington, VA is seeking a seasoned software engineer for offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities. The role involves rapid prototyping, integrating research into operational tools, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver actionable results onsite.

Candidates should have a university degree with 8+ years or an advanced degree with 5+ years, strong Python and C/C++, and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Requires university degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 5+ years, or 12+ years if no degree.
• Experience writing and reviewing funded government research proposals in relevant areas.
• Experience with Python and C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop and implement techniques for offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities and signal processing.
• Prototype software solutions rapidly.
• Apply software engineering practices to integrate research outputs into tools and systems.
• Lead cross-functional teams to solve challenging problems and deliver results.
• Anticipate and meet customer needs.
• Participate in lab and field tests to collect data, demonstrate capabilities.
• Support proposal writing by shaping win themes and innovations.
• Overnight travel required for certain projects.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Security clearance

Education

University Degree

Advanced Degree

Job description

Position Details

Date Posted: 2026-10-05 Country: United States of America Location: US-VA-ARLINGTON-111 ~ 1300 17Th St N ~ BBN ARLINGTON 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. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. For over 70 years, RTX BBN Technologies (BBN) has solved challenging problems through research, exploration, development, and prototyping.

What You Will Do

• Research, develop and implement innovative techniques for offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities and their application to RF and other signals processing capabilities.
• Conduct rapid prototyping of software solutions.
• Apply software engineering practices to integrate research outputs into operational tools and systems.
• Lead cross-functional teams to solve challenging problems and deliver actionable results.
• Takes proactive action to anticipate, understand, and meet customer needs.
• Participate in laboratory and field tests to collect and analyze data, test new capabilities, and perform demonstrations.
• Support proposal writing and processes through the shaping of win themes, innovations, operational impact, and focus on customers’ most pressing use cases.
• Overnight travel required for certain projects.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience or in absence of a degree, 12 years of relevant experience.
• Experience writing and reviewing classified government research funding proposals in relevant areas.
• Experience in Python and C/C++.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply complex technical concepts.
• Capacity to develop novel concepts that address challenging technical problems of concern to RTX BBN Technology’s customers.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI U.S. government issued security clearance is required.

We Prefer

• Experience synchronizing and coordinating highly technical, R&D teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in relevant technology topics.
• Experience with research and development of Cyber/EW capabilities.
• Experience monitoring cross-disciplinary, multi-portfolio projects in relevant technology areas.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

What We Offer

• Robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs.
• Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.
• 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.
• 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.

Location

• This position is onsite at our Arlington, VA headquarters. Relocation assistance available.
• A strong leadership team well-versed in government R&D.
• A collaborative and collegial environment to push state-of-the-art research.
• A technically competent pool of research scientists who are willing to mentor, listen, and help you refine your research vision and goals.
• Business development, programmatic, contracting, finance, and HR support.
• Access, through RTX, to opportunities that help transition your research and ultimately see it fielded.

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

Salary

The salary range for this role is 118,300 USD - 224,900 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.

Benefits Eligibility

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.

Incentive Programs

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.

EEO & DEI Statements

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.

Company Description

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.