Principal Mechanical Engineer - Structural Engineer

Raytheon; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

401(k) match

Job summary

Raytheon’s MA&T Center in El Segundo seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead detailed structural analyses supporting development and production across programs. The role spans hand calculations to finite element analyses using industry tools, with accountability for scope and schedule and peer reviews.

You will guide technical teams, present results to stakeholders, travel to test sites, and shape MA&T processes and tools to meet milestones in a security-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree and 8+ years of experience, or advanced degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Experience running complex structural analysis with PATRAN, NASTRAN, ANSYS, or equivalent.
• Ability to lead teams and work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analyses to support all program phases.
• Generate test plans to validate analyses and verify hardware compliance.
• Analyze test data to validate models and generate loads/environments.
• Work with limited oversight on complex problems within schedule constraints.
• Coordinate and lead technical peer reviews and act as reviewer for others' work.
• Present results to internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Generate detailed archival technical reports.
• Travel to test sites to support tests or design discussions.
• Act as technical leader to develop MA&T processes and tools and lead teams to milestones.

Skills

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative work

Structural analysis

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree with 5+ years

Tools

PATRAN

NASTRAN

ANSYS

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-E01 ~ 2000 E El Segundo Blvd ~ BLDG E01

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. 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 after 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 freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

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.

Job Summary

The Mechanical Analysis and Test (MA&T) Department is responsible for ensuring structural and thermal design robustness across the Raytheon portfolio of products. From preliminary concepts to fielded weapon system support, MA&T delivers innovative structural and thermal engineering solutions utilizing methods ranging from classical fundamental & empirically based techniques to state-of-the-art finite element methods leveraging industry leading commercial tools; all complimented and validated by tests executed in a manner to ensure cost effective yet technically balanced solutions.

The MA&T team is seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our MA&T Center onsite in El Segundo, CA.

As the Principal Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for detailed structural analysis to support all phases of programs including development and production. The analysis will cover a wide range of difficult problems, requiring solutions that are imaginative, thorough, praticable, and consistent with organization objectives. The analysis tasks will span the spectrum from classical hand calculations to detailed analyses requiring the use of finite element analysis software. A structural analyst of this salary grade is expected to have a high degree of technical competence and be a recognized technical leader and/or leader of teams of engineering analysts. The selected candidate will be able to work in a general direction and will be expected to define the scope and level of analysis/test required to meet objectives and assist in program planning. You will also be held accountable for your individual work and the work of others on your team within the agreed cost and schedule. It is expected that you will present your work for peer reviews and be a peer reviewer for other engineers’ work. The customers of this position will include internal personnel and programs as well as external Government(s) personnel and programs.

What You Will Do

• Perform detailed structural analyses to support all phases of programs
• Generate test plans required to validate analyses and verify hardware compliance to customer requirements
• Analyze test data to validate and correlate models, and/or generate mechanical loads and environments
• Work with limited oversight on complex problems to provide the answers needed under program cost and schedule constraints
• Coordinate and lead technical peer reviews ensuring the technical accuracy of work products as well as acting as a reviewer for others work products
• Present results to internal stakeholders and external customers
• Generate detailed, archival technical reports
• Travel to test sites to support test or design discussion (depending on work assignment)
• Act as a technical leader (help define and develop MA&T department technical processes and tools) and lead teams to meet program milestones

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years’ experience
• Experience running complex structural analysis with any of the following tools: PATRAN, NASTRAN, ANSYS or equivalent software
• Experience leading teams and strong interpersonal skills working in a team environment Ability to work in a collaborative, team-based environment and independently

Qualifications We Prefer

• 10+ years of professional experience in the structural analysis of complex systems that require collaboration of multiple engineering disciplines (such as a weapon system)
• Experience in structural testing: planning, organization, execution, data reduction and correlation
• Experience with dynamic shock and vibration analysis
• Experience with solid modeling CAD tools such as CREO or equivalent
• Experience with Matlab
• Experience presenting to external customers
• Ability to travel to government and other facilities in support of program activities
• Advanced degree in aforementioned disciplines. ABET is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

What We Offer

• Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the superior benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance, and child/adult backup care.
• Onsite: 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.
• Relocation Eligible - relocation assistance is available for this position

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.