Principal Systems Engineer - Test Architect

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

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Test Architect for the Coyote portfolio in the Land and Air Defense Systems. The role leads test solutions, design and deploys test architectures, and partners with operations to meet production scale and compliance. A STEM degree and an active security clearance are required, with travel up to 10%.

The position is onsite in Tucson, AZ, offering exposure to IRAD initiatives and advanced test equipment within a dynamic defense environment.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)
• Minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience
• Experience in systems engineering, systems integration and/or systems testing, verification, and validation
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required prior to start date
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and deployment of innovative test solutions, process automation initiatives, and design/process improvements that enhance producibility and reduce cycle time
• Craft and co‑own the end‑to‑end strategy for test architecture, including conceptual design, detailed design, implementation, integration, and verification phases
• Partner closely with Operations (factory and program) and program Engineering leadership to ensure test capabilities meet production scale, reliability, and compliance requirements
• Influence and support IRAD and capital investment planning to ensure future capabilities, infrastructure, and technologies align with long‑term production strategy
• Communicate technical direction, risks, tradeoffs, and decision rationale clearly to stakeholders at all levels
• Up to 10% travel as required to support integration and test activities with the team
• Ensure the technical integrity of program work products including the Technical Data Package (TDP) related to Test Strategy execution

Skills

leadership

systems engineering

test architecture

process automation

communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Test Equipment

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-01 Country: United States of America Location: US-AZ-TUCSON-M09 ~ 3350 E Hemisphere Loop ~ BLDG M09 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: Secret - Current 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. 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.

The Effectors group under Systems Engineering Test Capabilities (SETC) is currently searching for a Test Architect (TA) for the Coyote portfolio in the Land and Air Defense Systems (LADS) Strategic Business Unit (SBU). The Test Architect is responsible for leading test solutions to improve producibility to meet the average unit cost goals for the Coyote product portfolio. In Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) we integrate, verify, and validate our products. We put our systems together, exercise them in the lab or in the field, measure and analyze performance, and make sure our products work the first time and every time. To accomplish this, we develop plans and procedures, debug and evaluate system functions and interfaces, develop test environments, and work hand‑in‑hand with our customers. SETC is an exciting and challenging environment where you will have the opportunity to design, develop and test to shape innovative solutions for our customers.

What You Will Do:

• Lead the development and deployment of innovative test solutions, process automation initiatives, and design/process improvements that enhance producibility and reduce cycle time.
• Craft and co‑own the end‑to‑end strategy for test architecture, including conceptual design, detailed design, implementation, integration, and verification phases.
• Partner closely with Operations (factory and program) and program Engineering leadership to ensure test capabilities meet production scale, reliability, and compliance requirements.
• Influence and support IRAD and capital investment planning to ensure future capabilities, infrastructure, and technologies align with long‑term production strategy.
• Communicate technical direction, risks, tradeoffs, and decision rationale clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
• Up to 10% travel as required to support integration and test activities with the team.
• Ensure the technical integrity of program work products including the Technical Data Package (TDP) related to Test Strategy execution.

What You Will Learn:

• Gain knowledge and technical exposure to a fast‑growing, modern product line
• Develop the test strategy through the production lifecycle of an effector system
• Gain an understanding on how the Production Test Strategy aligns and interacts with the overall Coyote Test Strategy across user operations, development and production testing

You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience in systems engineering, systems integration and/or systems testing, verification, and validation.
• Experience with integration lab, test facility, or in the field.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued secret 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:

• Strong systems engineering or test architecture background with experience in production‑scale test solutions.
• Ability to lead and align cross‑functional teams in complex environments.
• Expertise in test systems, process automation, and design‑for‑producibility methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and execute across multiple phases of technology deployment.
• Experience interfacing with customer representatives.
• Comfortable working within dynamic, fast‑paced production environments with evolving priorities.
• Experience with Development and Production test strategy and architecture throughout a product lifecycle.
• Experience in developing and/or testing missiles.
• Experience developing Engineering and Production Test Equipment to meet established test requirements.
• Currently Certified as a Level 3 Test Architect or higher.

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. Relocation Eligibility - Yes

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. This position requires a security clearance.

Position has a security clearance requirement. 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 This position is an onsite role - Tucson, AZ: https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-tucson,-az-location

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. 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. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.