Principal Software Engineer Lead - High Energy Laser (HEL) Beam Director Product Owner

Prattwhitney; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) match

Holidays

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Principal Software Engineer Lead in McKinney, TX to own software architecture for high‑level real‑time embedded systems.

You will guide senior engineers, review algorithms, and ensure disciplined development across multiple baselines, including sensor processing and laser-enabled operations.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
• Minimum 8 years of prior relevant engineering experience in real-time embedded software.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government security clearance required before start; ability to obtain Special Program Access after start.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical leader and guide, delegating work and reviewing code across teams.
• Oversee disciplined implementation of core algorithms including tracking, alignment, and image processing.
• Coordinate across engineering groups to support multi-baseline programs and rapid execution.

Skills

Real-time embedded software

Software architecture

Systems thinking

Agile methods

Strong communication

Education

STEM degree

Tools

Scrum

CI/CD

Automated testing

Job description

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.

We are seeking an experienced principal‑level software engineer with deep knowledge of real‑time embedded systems, EO/IR algorithms, and system‑level integration.

The Principal Software Engineer Lead will be the product owner of High Energy Laser (HEL) Beam Director. This individual will serve as a senior leader and technical guide, providing disciplined development oversight, coordinating across engineering teams, and ensuring consistent progress across multiple fast‑moving baselines.

What You Will Do

Serve as a senior technical leader capable of delegating and reviewing work from lower‑level engineers, ensuring disciplined implementation of major system algorithms including tracking, alignment, coordinate transformation, sensor line‑of‑sight, image alignment, and laser‑enabled operations. Review code, validate algorithm behavior, communicate technical rationale clearly, and influence engineering practices and procedures to maintain steady program execution. Provide senior‑level systems thinking and architectural support, including development of CONOPS, specification tree structures, and multi‑CSCI decomposition required to resolve complex customer‑critical issues. Operate effectively with senior architects and technical fellows, integrating across disciplines and maintaining technical momentum with minimal oversight. Apply subject‑matter expertise in system‑of‑systems architecture, inter‑CSCI and LRU interfaces, requirement flows, and hardware/software integration to drive clarity across sensor and processing capabilities. Lead the agile execution of software technical scope across all program baselines, ensuring coordinated planning, prioritized backlog execution, and alignment with evolving product‑line objectives. Collaborate closely with senior systems engineers and cross‑functional technical leads to support integration, verification, and delivery across Archerfish, Apache, and MQ‑9 simultaneous efforts.

This job is onsite in McKinney, TX; applicants must be in the area or willing to relocate to it.

Qualifications You Must Have

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Minimum 5‑8 years of experience developing or supporting real‑time embedded software for mission‑critical systems. Experience implementing and validating real‑time algorithms and supporting SW/HW integration on embedded platforms. Experience communicating and collaborating with teams, translating technical considerations into clear and actionable guidance, and working in rapid‑execution and multi‑baseline programs. Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date with ability to obtain Special Program Access after start. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

Active and transferable U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance with Special Program Access. Strong communication and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to guide technical development, mentor engineers, and lead software teams through complex lifecycle activities. Proven effectiveness in rapid‑execution, multi‑baseline programs. Experience with EO/IR or sensor‑based targeting systems. Familiarity with agile processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and automated testing methods. Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence aided development. Experience coordinating across multiple product lines or quick‑reaction capability programs. Demonstrated leadership experience, formal or informal, such as mentoring junior engineers, coordinating small technical initiatives, facilitating team collaboration, driving engineering best practices, and/or guiding peers toward successful delivery.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Location Information

This position is onsite at our campus in beautiful McKinney, TX.

Clearance Information

This position requires a 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

Additional Information

We Are RTX 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.

https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-north-texas-location

Welcome to Raytheon in McKinney, TX - YouTube

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.