Raytheon Vision Systems Principal Systems Engineer

Prattwhitney; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 118,300 - 224,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

Prattwhitney is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to join their team in Goleta, CA. The role is focused on managing various engineering activities for EO/IR systems, emphasizing quality and performance.

Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of experience in relevant engineering fields, with strong skills in risk management and leading multidisciplinary teams. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered for this onsite position.

Qualifications

• Experience in design, analysis, development, troubleshooting of EO subsystems.
• Experience in system design trade studies and performance assessment.
• Proven ability to manage engineering budgets and staffing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee engineering activities to ensure technical quality.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Manage technical risks and communicate findings to leadership.

Skills

Engineering risk management

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Earned Value Management

Education

Valid U.S. citizenship

8+ years experience in EO/IR systems

Tools

MATLAB

DOORs

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-03-20 | Country: United States of America | Location: Goleta, CA | Position: Principal Systems Engineer (Onsite)

Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS) Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) Department is looking for a skilled Principal Systems Engineer with expertise in airborne and space electro‑optical and infrared (EO/IR) surveillance and targeting sensor systems. The role involves overseeing multidisciplinary engineering activities, managing budgets, guiding engineering follow‑through, supporting proposals, and partnering with the bid manager.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Program Chief Engineer (PCE) to ensure products are developed and delivered within cost, schedule, technical quality, and performance parameters.
• Provide technical leadership to RVS EO/IR infrared focal‑plane array (IRFPA) programs and special projects.
• Collaborate regularly with a multidisciplinary team of Systems, Test, Software, Firmware, Mechanical, Electrical, and Integrated Circuit engineers.
• Actively manage engineering risks and opportunities with the PCE to ensure proactive execution.
• Coordinate and compile engineering inputs for proposals and present bid summaries to management.
• Lead technical support efforts for production and development activities.
• Oversee and direct trade studies, presenting comprehensive results to key stakeholders.
• Communicate technical findings and strategic solutions to leadership and customers effectively.

Qualifications

• Valid U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (Secret).
• Minimum 8 years of senior‑level experience in EO/IR systems, including design, analysis, development, troubleshooting, and testing of EO subsystems with focus on IRFPA technology.
• Experience developing product specifications and requirements management, including distilling and deriving requirements for lower‑level subassemblies and components.
• Experience with system design trade studies, optimization and performance assessment.
• Experience creating and modifying documentation for formal gating events – SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, CTSR, TDR.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVMS).
• Experience executing test plans, procedures and reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Factory production and direct experience with IRFPA design and testing for tactical and/or space environments.
• Familiarity with vacuum packaging, dewar design, cryogenic cooling, and/or opto‑mechanics.
• Experience with DOORs and/or CAMEO requirements management tools.
• Proficiency with MATLAB for analytical modeling and scripting.
• Experience collaborating with Integrated Circuit foundries and semiconductor factories.
• Experience with ROIC wafer probing, fabrication, integration, verification and validation for complex EO/IR systems.
• Experience in sensor test methodology, including optical performance analysis and EO/IR FPA verification.
• EVMS certification and demonstrated ability to manage engineering team budgets and staffing demands.
• Proven ability to plan, lead, and execute root‑cause and corrective‑action (RCCA) efforts.
• Team leadership skills with cross‑functional coordination and mentoring of junior engineers.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary range: $118,300–$224,900USD.
• Relocation assistance available for this position.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, parental leave, paid time off and holidays.
• Optional short‑term and long‑term incentive compensation programs (dependent on level).
• U.S. based role with onsite work in Goleta, CA.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Benefits and pay are dependent on location and business unit. This role requires a U.S. security clearance.