Principal Engineer, Actuation Systems Embedded Software

Prattwhitney; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Job summary

RTX is seeking an embedded software/firmware engineer in Tucson, AZ to support high‑performance actuation systems for missiles. You will specify, design, verify, and integrate motor control firmware in C/C++ and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineers in a hands-on lab environment.

Requirements include a STEM degree with extensive experience or an advanced degree with relevant experience, and the ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

Qualifications

• Requires a University Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience or an advanced degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience with systems engineering design and/or development or experience working in a disciplined, controlled manner with thorough documentation.
• Experience with C/C++ development on embedded hardware platforms or similar.
• Experience with model development and/or data analysis in MATLAB/Simulink.

Responsibilities

• Specify, design, verify, and integrate motor control embedded firmware for current and future precision actuation systems.
• Implement digital control algorithms in C/C++ with the Controls and Algorithms team.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, control systems, test, and safety engineering teams to address technical problems.

Skills

C/C++ (embedded)

MATLAB/Simulink

Firmware development

Digital control algorithms

Hardware integration

UART/SPI/I2C

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in STEM

Tools

GIT

Subversion

FPGA tools

Job description

Job Details

Date Posted: 2026-08-18 Country: United States of America Location: US-AZ-TUCSON-M10 ~ 3360 E Hemisphere Loop ~ BLDG M10

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: Secret Security Clearance Status: Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.

Company Overview

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.

Role Overview

The PCAS department is seeking an embedded software/firmware engineer to support development of a range of high-performance actuation systems, such as aerodynamic steering, thrust vectoring, attitude and divert maneuvering, pointing, and stabilization of missile systems & subsystems.

This is an onsite role: Tucson, AZ or Huntsville, AL or Portsmouth, RI.

What You Will Do

You will help specify, design, verify, and integrate motor control embedded firmware for current and future precision control actuation systems.

You will implement digital control algorithms in C/C++ in conjunction with the Controls and Algorithms team.

Day-to-day the candidate will be expected to apply sound engineering practices to address technical problems while collaborating with a team including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, control systems engineering, test engineering, systems safety engineering, and others.

What You Will Learn

Hands‑on opportunity with firmware integration and verification testing in a laboratory environment is plentiful, thus enabling firsthand knowledge of system function and performance. The position will rely on fundamental understanding of C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and working with electrical and mechanical hardware.

Qualifications

You Must Have: Requires a University Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience or an advanced degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience.

Experience with systems engineering design and/or development or experience working in a disciplined, controlled manner, fully documenting work; extensively commenting code, test benches and test software.

Experience with C/C++ development on embedded hardware platforms or similar.

Experience with model development and/or data analysis in MATLAB/Simulink.

We Value

Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or Computer Science.

Experience developing firmware or software for safety significant environments including requirements development and traceability, design decomposition and documentation, static code analysis, design to safety critical coding standards such as MISRA‑C, test case development, code coverage including modified decision/code coverage (MC/DC), code coverage analysis and formal qualification testing.

A working understanding of configurable logic (FPGA firmware) and VHDL).

Experience implementing digital control algorithms in hardware including embedded microcontrollers, digital signal processors, FPGAs and a working understanding of serial communication interfaces, analog to digital converters, and PWM generators.

Experience working with and integrating hardware. Knowledge of actuation communication busses; UART, SPI, and I2C protocols; electromechanical actuators (using gears, ballscrews, leadscrews etc); position sensors; electronic controllers and power amplifiers; test equipment. Basic understanding of modeling and controls of electric motors and solid background in PMSM motor fundamentals Digital and analog signal electronics design, development and verification. Use of software/firmware configuration management tools such as GIT, Subversion or similar tools. Ability to work hands‑on in teams and to articulate, in both oral and written form, to technical, non‑technical and management audiences. Motivation to continue developing and learning on‑the‑job skills.

Benefits

• 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

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.

EEO & Diversity

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.

Other Information

Relocation Eligibility

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.

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.

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. 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.

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 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.