RF Systems Engineer Intern (Summer 2027)

Prattwhitney; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) match

Flexible schedules

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

RTX is offering an internship/coop opportunity in Goleta, CA for students pursuing STEM degrees. The role focuses on defining system architecture, developing requirements, and performing modeling and analysis across the full product lifecycle.

Candidates should have RF fundamentals knowledge, experience with MATLAB and C++, and familiarity with DOORS for requirements verification. Onsite roles include opportunities in radar and RF system development.

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in STEM and enrolled through internship/coop.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours by start date.
• Experience with RF fundamentals and RF test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture, develop and verify system requirements across full product lifecycle.
• Support development, analysis, documentation, and verification of system requirements using DOORS.
• Generate system CONOPS and architectures.
• Assist with radar mode development and system performance assessments.
• Modeling, simulation, and data analysis using MATLAB, Python, and C++.
• Hardware/software integration, testing, and lab work.
• Support verification, validation, flight test, production, and post-deployment activities.

Skills

RF fundamentals

MATLAB

Python

C++

MBSE

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Advanced degree in STEM

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Signal Generators

DOORS

Job description

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co‑ops and full‑time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do

• Define system architecture, develop and verify system requirements, perform analysis and modeling, and support integration, testing, and flight activities across the full product lifecycle.
• Support development, analysis, documentation, and verification of system requirements using DOORS.
• Generate system CONOPS and system architectures.
• Assist with radar mode requirement development and system performance assessments.
• Conduct modeling, simulation, and data analysis using tools such as MATLAB, Python, and C++.
• Participate in hardware/software integration, troubleshooting, and hands‑on laboratory testing.
• Support verification, validation, flight test, production, and post‑deployment activities.
• Perform trade studies, functional/physical analyses, and MBSE‑based system design.
• Prepare and present technical reports, findings, and briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and present technical reports, findings, and briefings to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co‑op session.
• Must have a minimum of 30 hours of credit by the start of the internship / co‑op session.
• Experience with RF fundamentals: link budget analysis, modulation schemes, noise figure, gain, bandwidth, filtering, or wave propagation
• Experience with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators) through coursework, internships, or lab work
• Experience using MATLAB for data analysis
• Experience may be obtained through on‑the‑job experience, research, coursework, or projects.

We Prefer

• Internship or project experience related to RF, wireless, radar, SDR, or satellite communication
• Knowledge of systems engineering architecture and design, integration and test, and verification and validation approaches
• Experience with programming using C++ or scripting/automation tools like Python or LabVIEW
• Hands‑on experience with antennas or PCB layout for RF circuits
• Exposure to digital signal processing concepts

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.

Relocation Eligibility

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 ability to obtain 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.

The salary range for this role is 42,000 USD - 88,000 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.

• 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

• annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs
• 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 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.