Principal Specialist, Signal Processing / Controls Engineer

Prattwhitney; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Comprehensive benefits

Incentive compensation

Job summary

RTX BBN Technologies in Cambridge, MA, seeks an experienced engineer specializing in signal processing, sensing, and control systems to join the Physical Sciences and Systems group. You will develop models, perform data analysis, and prototype proof-of-concept systems for government and commercial customers.

You should hold a Bachelor's with 5 years or a Master’s with 3 years (or PhD), have MATLAB/Simulink experience, and familiarity with Python/C++. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field with 5+ years of experience; Master’s with 3+ years; or new PhD.
• Knowledge in physics, physical systems, dynamics, control theory, signal processing.
• Experience developing signal processing algorithms and implementing physics-based models in MATLAB/Simulink.

Responsibilities

• Developing structural dynamic and acoustic models and related signal processing schemes.
• Performing data analysis including spectral processing and transfer function analysis; data-driven simulations.
• Developing control systems and architectures to affect performance of physical systems.
• Supporting real time implementation and evaluation of designs in realistic mission scenarios.
• Developing detection and classification algorithms against state-of-the-art threats.
• Creating prototype proof-of-concept systems for challenging client problems.
• Plan/direct/coordinate tasks or small projects; contribute to proposals and presentations.

Skills

Signal processing

Control theory

Data analysis

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics or related field

Master’s degree in applicable discipline

PhD

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Data acquisition hardware

Real-time platforms

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-12 Country: United States of America Location: US-MA-CAMBRIDGE-BBN01 ~ 10 & 50 Moulton St ~ MOULTON B2 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 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. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. RTX BBN Technologies is one of RTX’s premier research and development centers providing advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. Our diverse research portfolio combines the best technologies to deliver innovative, custom solutions with real-world benefit.

Role Overview

At RTX BBN Technologies, we develop new science by applying radical cross-disciplinary techniques to prototype systems in order to prove concept viability. This is especially evident in our Physical Systems and Sciences group, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where scientists and engineers anticipate the future in both very large and very small-scale scientific systems that often need to survive challenging operational environments. We are seeking an experienced engineer with research interests in signal processing, sensing, and control systems design / implementation to join our Physical Sciences and Systems group in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our world-class team works with a broad range of Government agencies to solve problems that are both technically challenging and have a real operational impact.

What You Will Do

• Developing structural dynamic and acoustic models and related signal processing schemes
• Performing data analysis, including spectral processing and transfer function analysis, as well as data-driven simulations
• Developing control systems and architectures to affect performance of physical systems
• Supporting real time implementation and evaluation of your designs in realistic mission scenarios
• Developing sophisticated detection and classification algorithms against state-of-the-art threats
• Developing prototype proof-of-concept systems to address our client’s most challenging problems
• The candidate should be able to plan/direct/coordinate tasks or small projects involving multiple individuals.
• The candidate will participate in business development by contributing to proposals and white papers, and making effective presentations to our customers.
• This position may require some amount of overnight travel to support limited off-site testing.

Qualifications You Must Have

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field and 5 years of relevant professional work experience; or a Master’s degree in an applicable discipline and 3 years of relevant professional work experience; or a new PhD graduate Knowledge in physics and physical systems, dynamics, control theory, and signal processing Experience developing signal processing algorithms and implementing physics-based models in MATLAB/Simulink Hands-on experience with experimental equipment to collect and analyze data sets 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.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in developing and validating models for use in simulation of physical systems
• Programming experience in Python, C, C++
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment (sensors, actuators, analyzers, data acquisition, real-time platforms)

Work Location: Onsite - Cambridge, MA - Relocation package is available for qualified candidates

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role: 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 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 95,500 USD - 181,700 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.

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.