Principal Systems Engineer (GNC Analyst)

Raytheon; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Raytheon in Pasadena, CA seeks a Principal Systems Engineer-Guidance, Navigation, and Control Analyst to lead high-fidelity models of electromechanical actuators and sensors, validate designs against testbed data, and define requirements for future hardware.

You will distill complex models into low-fidelity surrogates for system simulations, support rapid 2–3 week studies, and collaborate with vendors to ensure models reflect external hardware and software specs; TS/SCI CI Poly U.S.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's in STEM and 8+ years engineering experience.
• Proficiency in Matlab and Simulink; C programming.
• Experience in signal processing and modeling of electromechanical systems.
• Experience with high-bandwidth mechatronics and precision pointing systems.
• Experience working with external vendors and hardware suppliers.
• U.S. citizenship with active TS/SCI CI Poly clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop high-fidelity behavioral simulations of actuators and sensors.
• Tune and validate simulations against testbed data for accuracy.
• Create low-fidelity surrogate models for system-level simulations.
• Support rapid-turnaround sponsor-driven studies (2–3 weeks) with plots and presentations.
• Maintain the project’s primary simulation environment for stakeholders.
• Participate in vendor meetings and ensure models reflect external hardware/software specs.
• Act as a flexible resource within a small team and translate data into clear visuals.

Skills

Matlab

Simulink

C language

Signal processing

High-fidelity modeling

Mechatronics

Vendor relations

System-level simulation

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

Raytheon is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer-Guidance, Navigation, and Control Analyst (GNC) in Pasadena, California!

What You Will Do

• This role is critical for the risk reduction and requirement-definition phase of the project's mechanisms. High-fidelity modeling of electromechanical actuators and sensors is required to validate designs against testbed data and to inform the specifications of future hardware iterations.
• Distill complex models into low-fidelity versions for integration into larger system-level simulations.
• Provide rapid-turnaround study results for sponsors and maintaining long-term, high-fidelity simulation infrastructure.
• Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• High-Fidelity Modeling: Maintain, modify, and develop high-fidelity behavioral simulations of electromechanical actuators and sensors.
• Model Validation: Tune and validate simulations against actual testbed data to ensure physical accuracy.
• Risk Reduction & Requirements: Utilize high-fidelity models to conduct risk reduction activities and establish technical requirements for future versions of mechanisms.
• System Integration: Create and maintain low-fidelity "surrogate" models that approximate actuator behavior for use in larger, integrated system simulations.
• Study Support: Execute rapid-turnaround tasks (2–3-week cycles) to support sponsor-driven studies, delivering results via plots and presentations.
• Simulation Maintenance: Provide ongoing maintenance and updates to the project’s primary simulation environment to ensure stability for other project stakeholders.
• Vendor Technical Integration: Participate in vendor meetings and technical reviews to absorb critical design information, ensuring that behavioral models accurately reflect external hardware and software specifications.
• Technical Versatility: Act as a flexible resource within a small team, providing overlap and support for other GNC functions as bandwidth requires.
• Communication: Translate complex simulation data into clear, concise plots and PowerPoint presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 8 years of prior engineering experience.
• Experience in Matlab , Simulink and the C programming language.
• Experience in signal processing
• Experience developing clear and adaptable models of complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience with high-bandwidth mechatronics and dynamics.
• Experience in the research and development of precision pointing systems.
• Experience working directly with external vendors and hardware suppliers.
• An active and transferable TS/SCI CI Poly U.S. government issued is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for the required security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Work in a complex multi-task, schedule-driven environment.
• Perform effectively with minimal day-to-day oversight
• Advanced degree

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Not Relocation Eligible – Relocation assistance not available