Senior Principal Cyber Researcher - Reverse Engineering (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Pratt & Whitney is seeking a senior leader to manage R&D programs in cyber-physical security at RTX. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams of hardware, software, and systems engineers, driving the development and evaluation of advanced reverse engineering techniques and security solutions.

The role emphasizes customer engagement, demonstrations, and government-sponsored research execution, with frequent collaboration across Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon units.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and 10+ years experience or an advanced degree and 7+ years experience.
• U.S. citizenship required for access to program information
• Ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. government clearance
• Experience with embedded systems/OT
• Experience with reverse engineering tools

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and strategic management of novel R&D projects in cyber physical security.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams to develop and evaluate new reverse engineering approaches.
• Lead advanced technology demonstrations delivering customer engagement and business impact.
• Lead technical proposal preparation and execution of government-sponsored research.
• Cultivate partnerships with technology stakeholders for collaboration and alignment.
• Travel up to 10%.

Skills

Cyber security

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

Embedded systems

FPGA

Reverse engineering

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Disassemblers

Debuggers

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-17 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Top Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical and strategic management of novel research and development projects in the cyber physical security
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of hardware, software, communications, and systems engineers to develop, integrate, and evaluate new cyber security reverse engineering approaches and technologies
• Lead advanced technology demonstrations delivering early customer engagement, innovation, and business impact
• Lead technical proposal preparation and the execution of government-sponsored science and technology research
• Cultivate strong partnerships with technology stakeholders across Collins business and customers to ensure collaboration and strategic alignment
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance
• 1+ years experience working with embedded systems or industrial control systems or operational technology
• Experience utilizing reverse engineering tools (Disassemblers and Debuggers)
• Experience supporting or leading research activities

We Prefer

• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization
• Aerospace or defense experience
• Active DoD security clearance
• Experience working with FPGAs

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.

Privacy Policy and Terms: 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.