Senior Principal Scientist, Chemical Vapor Processing

Prattwhitney; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Achievement awards

Educational assistance

Child/adult backup care

Job summary

RTXRTRC seeks a Senior Principal Scientist, Research to lead chemical vapor processing efforts. The role focuses on planning, executing, and analyzing CVD/CVI experiments and integrating new processing technologies into RTX products.

You will contribute to funding pursuits, publications, and IP generation while guiding cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates hold a PhD in a related field with 7–10+ years of experience, and have demonstrated PI experience on multi-disciplinary programs,

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM with minimum 10 years of experience (or advanced degree with at least 7 years).
• PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related field with a focus on high-temperature composites and/or microelectronics.
• Experience as a principal investigator on multi-disciplinary projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a technical strategy in partnership with discipline and department leadership.
• Collaborate with business units to develop chemical vapor process methods.
• Engage in technical and programmatic reviews to drive technical excellence.
• Originate and patent new ideas, define projects, and guide them to self-sufficiency.

Skills

Chemical vapor processing

CVD

CVI

Technical leadership

Research planning

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-28 Country: United States of America Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-RTRC K ~ 411 Silver Ln ~ RTRC K 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: Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after 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. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

RTRC's Advanced Materials and Mechanics discipline is currently seeking a Senior Principal Scientist, Research. This individual is expected to provide technical leadership and contributions in the area of Chemical Vapor Processing. The ideal candidate will be proficient in both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), with the ability to plan, execute and analyze chemical vapor experiments. The candidate will be an integral member of dynamic teams focused on creating and advancing novel materials and manufacturing technologies for both aerospace and defense applications while being responsible to provide timely, accurate, and detailed reports and presentations. This role will support the expansion and implementation of innovative processing technologies across the corporation, including marketing new concepts, securing research funding, and generating intellectual property.

What You Will Do

• Support the development and delivery of a technical strategy in partnership with discipline and department leadership
• Collaborate with business units (BU) to develop chemical vapor process methods
• Actively engage in technical and programmatic reviews to drive technical excellence
• Originate and patent new ideas, define new projects, build them to self-sufficiency and guide them to transition
• Participate in funding pursuits: Co-lead Contract Research and Development (CRAD) pursuits and/or secure Business Unit funding to augment technology portfolio
• Provide technical guidance to RTRC and BU projects and support root cause investigations
• Ability to lead the development and integration of chemical vapor processes into RTX products

Qualifications You Must Have Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years experience.

Expertise in chemical vapor processing, typically requires: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a focus on processing of high temperature composite materials and/or micro-electronics. Principal investigator on multi-disciplinary projects.

Qualifications We Prefer Experience in writing and reviewing white papers and proposals is highly desirable Established track record of publications or intellectual property in chemical vapor processing Experience in modeling reaction products and/or kinetics. Prior experience with complex shape fabrication of monolithic ceramics Experience with Atomic Layer Deposition methods Capable of operating independently while also effectively working with colleagues from a variety of backgrounds in a highly collaborative environment Ability to influence internal and external parties to accept concepts, practices and approaches.

What We Offer:

Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs.

• parental (including paternal) leave
• flexible work schedules
• achievement awards
• educational assistance
• child/adult backup care

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

This position is classified as: Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

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.

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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.