Principal Mechanical Engineer, Control Algorithm & Simulation

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

Job summary

Raytheon’s Precision Control Actuation System (PCAS) team in Tucson, AZ, seeks an experienced controls systems engineer to support development, build, and verification of control actuation systems. Roles may be based in Tucson or Huntsville and require autonomous work with leadership exposure.

The candidate must have extensive experience in actuation control design, flight dynamics, and MATLAB/Simulink, with ability to work across hardware and software interfaces and deliver high-fidelity models

Qualifications

• Typically requires STEM degree and 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with CAS requirements, architecture, risk, verification and validation.

Responsibilities

• Provide controls engineering support for programs and actuation systems.
• Develop flight actuation control system architectures and implement advanced control laws.
• Design test plans and verify performance against requirements.

Skills

Actuation control design

MATLAB/Simulink

System identification

Flight dynamics

Embedded systems

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

MATLAB

Test automation hardware

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-20 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: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

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 Precision Control Actuation System department is seeking an expert controls systems engineer to join the PCAS organization to support the development, build, and verification of control actuation systems. The PCAS organization staffs controls systems engineers for a variety of roles supporting primarily control section Integrated Product Teams. Locations: This role may be staffed at the PCAS location in Tucson, AZ or Huntsville, AZ.

What You Will Do

• You will provide various controls engineering support as needs of programs fluctuate.
• Based on skillsets, support may include but is not limited to development of flight actuation control system architectures and implementation of advanced control laws to maximize performance, hardware test design and execution, and analysis of air performance simulation.
• You will be expected to flex responsibilities based on the current needs of the organization and their respective skill sets.
• At this grade level, you will be expected to work autonomously with regular and periodic oversight, have advance knowledge of air vehicle gear train dynamics and flight motor control, advanced control techniques, inertial sensors digital communications, and analysis of missile servo position performance - both in simulation, ground, and flight test.
• Development of high fidelity motor and flexible gear train models containing nonlinearity and temperature dependencies.
• Development and execution of test plans to verify performance against requirements and anchor models.

What You Will Learn

• The PCAS organization provides ample opportunities for hands-on hardware work. PCAS mechanical control engineers are exposed to a variety of lab activities including hardware integration, hardware testing, hardware tuning, and hardware verification.
• The PCAS organization provides a strong technical learning environment with a dedicated control system technology pyramid comprised of engineering fellows. PCAS mechanical engineers are provided the opportunity for direct access to these subject matter experts, fostering accelerated technical growth.

Qualifications

• 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. A minimum of 8 years of experience in air vehicle or missile flight actuation control design and/or analysis, including control architecture design, and/or requirements development, and/or performance analysis.
• We Prefer: Experience with Systems or Mechanical Engineering of servo controls. Experience with development of CAS requirements, CAS architecture, requirements risk, requirements verification and validation, system performance & function, safety and environmental compliance. Experience in working with control actuation systems that employ permanent magnet brush and brush less DC motor technology. Experience developing or modifying code in MATLAB and Simulink. Experience testing high power actuation systems in the presence of loads and temperature. Experience with feedback control systems, including sizing, testing and integration, design-for-manufacturing, kinematic and dynamic simulation and analysis. Research and/or applied experience in advanced control design techniques in areas such as nonlinear, robust, optimal, adaptive, fault-tolerant, and real-time control. Experience with encoders, resolvers, gyros, power systems, and serial communication interfaces. Proven ability to deconstruct higher level tasks into discrete lower-level work packages and tasks. Experience with system identification techniques applied to flexible body dynamics, motor control and nonlinear systems. Experience with gimbaled and line-of-sight pointing and stabilization systems. Familiarity with embedded software development and hardware/software integration. Knowledge of system engineering design methods including requirements analysis and flow down, specification derivation and interface control documentation. Performance analysis by simulation including verification and validation techniques. Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision. Ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership and other engineering disciplines. Experience leading a control actuation development focused development team.

What We Offer

• Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Privacy Policy and Terms: Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms 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.