Principal Mechanical Engineer

Raytheon; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation eligibility

Job summary

Raytheon seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead a team designing, integrating, and testing aerospace hardware in our Advanced Airframes Department in Tucson, AZ. You will manage sub‑systems, coordinate with IPTs, suppliers, and Raytheon factories, and drive cost/ schedule performance.

The role requires a STEM degree with extensive design and production experience, CAD tools proficiency, and an active US security clearance.

Qualifications

• STEM degree with minimum 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced STEM degree with at least 5 years.
• Minimum 5 years in mechanical products/subassembly design, integration, and production support.
• Experience with supplier engagement, factory development, and production ramp-up.
• CAD design tools experience required.
• Active transferable US government security clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to design, develop, integrate, and test mechanical hardware.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and coordinate with IPTs and suppliers.
• Oversee hardware procurement and maintain material budgets within cost constraints.
• Collaborate with management and customers; present technical and cost data.
• Manage production ramp-up, factory processes, and FAI milestones.
• Work onsite with occasional travel, labs, and field work.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Multidiscipline work

Problem solving

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree in STEM

Tools

CADCreo

Creo Parametric

Windchill

GD&T

ASME Y14.5

Job description

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.

The Advanced Airframes Department within Raytheon Hardware Engineering provides Mechanical Engineering support to develop solutions for products across the Raytheon portfolio. Our core mechanical engineering responsibilities include requirements/conceptual development, design, integration, and test support. We partner with several Mechanical Product Team departments to provide full system solutions.

The Advanced Airframes Department is currently hiring a Principal Mechanical Engineer located on site in Tucson, Arizona. In this on‑site role, you will play a pivotal part as a member of a mechanical or engineering team to design, analyze, and optimize next‑generation aerospace mechanisms and structures. You will coordinate and execute engineering activities across multiple products, design complex sub‑systems or systems, manage a team of engineers, and ensure seamless collaboration with suppliers and Raytheon factory operations, and program IPTs. This position may include Cost Account Management (CAM) responsibilities for labor and material.

What You Will Do

• Lead a small to mid‑sized team of engineers to design, develop, integrate, and test mechanical hardware within the Advanced Technologies area, often requiring the ability to delegate and review the work of others.
• Provide positive influence and mentorship to junior team members by setting the example.
• Ensure engineering engagement and coordination within the IPT for the Technical Data Package, working closely with RSE, REA, and designer teams.
• Oversee hardware procurement coordination and manage the material budget within cost constraints, ensuring on‑time delivery of compliant hardware with well‑documented pedigree.
• Collaborate with both functional and program higher‑level management; provide ongoing status updates and participate in key program meetings, including IPT meetings, ERB/CCB reviews, R&O discussions, and Critical Chain reviews.
• Assist with the management of mechanical risks and opportunities.
• Support failure investigations, as required.
• Present technical and/or cost/schedule content to team members, peers, management, and government customers.
• Oversee production factory development, production rate ramp‑up, factory assembly processes, and FAI/Prove‑in milestones.
• Collaborate with government customers and suppliers.
• Work independently, under limited supervision, to manage the team to achieve technical milestones and meet cost and schedule commitments. May include CAM responsibilities.
• Work environment is primarily onsite, but may include occasional travel, labs, and field work.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a STEM degree and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of mechanical products and/or subassembly design, integration, and production support.
• Experience with supplier engagement processes, factory development, and/or production ramp‑up.
• Experience with CAD design tools.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to the start date; U.S. citizenship is required as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Advanced degree in STEM and a minimum of 9 years of professional experience in hardware design, development, and/or test of defense‑related components or systems.
• 2+ years of experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) with application of the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) processes and principles.
• Application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and drawing practices and interpretation for mechanical hardware. Certification to ASME Y14.5 at a Senior or Technologist level.
• Computer‑aided Design (CAD) experience in Creo Parametric and Windchill.
• Proposal experience including writing Basis of Estimates (BOEs) and providing material estimating inputs.
• Experience managing suppliers to develop complex sub‑systems or hardware.
• Highly self‑motivated individual that can perform multidiscipline work.
• Able to network / influence outside of the Department with other design and production support organizations, program leadership, other engineering disciplines and manufacturing organizations.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to interact positively with peers, suppliers, management, and customers in a production environment.
• Experience with effective communication (written and verbal) during collaboration with others to document design decisions and results, to perform trade studies, and to communicate to program leadership and customers through presentations and reports.
• Experience managing drawing release schedules and/or design review preparation of technical content.
• Existing DoD Secret or Top‑Secret Clearance.

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.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD – 204,500 USD. The range 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.

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 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.