Principal Electrical Engineer

RTX; Virginia; On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to join the Sterling, Virginia team. This onsite role focuses on designing and integrating optical sensors into automated systems for field environments and national security applications.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to develop system test requirements, plan integration and verification, and support deployed sensor systems.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 5+ years’ experience.
• Experience conducting system performance analyses and developing technical performance risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience with electrical design of cross‑platform systems, subsystems and components with multiple communication protocols in a networked environment.
• Experience with low‑level programming in Windows and Linux for embedded systems using microcontrollers or PLCs.

Responsibilities

• Provide electrical expertise with a multidisciplinary team that executes system design, build, integration and test, training, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Develop system test requirements and verification plans.
• Plan, execute, and analyze in support of system integration and verification.
• Perform hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing.
• Provide technical support for deployed sensor systems.

Skills

Electrical design

System integration

Hardware-in-the-loop testing

Embedded systems

Windows

Linux

Customer interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PTC Creo

SolidWorks

MS Visio

MS Project

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-10 Country: United States of America Location: US-VA-DULLES-760 ~ 22260 Pacific Blvd ~ BLDG 60, test 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: Secret - Current 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 freedom and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

We are currently seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer with a passion for hands‑on work to join the engineering team in Sterling, Virginia. The program engineering team designs and integrates optical sensors into unique automated systems to perform research and development for our customers in field environments. We are seeking a candidate to perform a variety of hands‑on, technically challenging assignments which will directly contribute to protecting our nation. This position is an onsite role working in our facility in Sterling, Virginia.

What You Will Do

• Provide electrical expertise with a multidisciplinary team that executes system design, build, integration and test, training, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Develop system test requirements.
• Plan, execute, and analyze in support of system integration and verification.
• Perform hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing.
• Provide technical support for deployed sensor systems.
• Generate detailed systems design and configuration management documentation.
• Work directly with the customers in various environments to address impromptu customer requirement changes or resolve urgent issues.
• CONUS/OCONUS travel to support systems in the field, demonstrations, and tests may be required (up to 10%).

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience or an advanced degree in a related field and minimum 5 years’ experience.
• Experience conducting system performance analyses and developing technical performance risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience with electrical design of cross‑platform systems, subsystems and components with multiple communication protocols in a networked environment.
• Experience with low‑level programming in both Windows and Linux environments for embedded systems utilizing microcontrollers or PLCs.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including MS Visio and MS Project.
• Experience working in cross discipline teams.
• Design of electro‑mechanical automated system for harsh environments.
• CAD experience with software such as PTC Creo (Pro‑E) or SolidWorks.
• Networking system design in classified environments.
• Ability to analyze, troubleshoot issues, and define solutions.
• Ability to perform trade studies to optimize system performance.
• Ability to assemble, troubleshoot, and repair electronic systems, utilizing electronic test and measurement equipment.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.

What We Offer

A total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs.

• Parental (including paternal) leave
• Flexible work schedules
• Achievement awards
• Educational assistance
• 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
• Holidays

Relocation assistance available.

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. This position requires onsite work in Sterling, VA: DMV: https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-dmv-location

This position requires 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 #LI-TR1 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.

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.

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.