Senior Principal Software Engineer

RTX; Saint Louis Park (MN); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

401(k) match

Flexible schedules

Educational assistance

Employee Scholar Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

RTX, a leading aerospace and defense company, is seeking a Sr. Principal Software Engineer within BBN Technologies. The role focuses on distributed systems, AI, cyber security, and high-assurance software in a hybrid US-based setting.

Responsibilities include leading complex software efforts, collaborating with customers and teams, and delivering reports and evaluations. A strong Java and Python background with 10+ years experience is required, plus an active DoD Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or advanced degree with relevant experience.
• 10+ years in Java and 10+ years in Python development.
• Experience interacting with customers, suppliers, or other organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test software using Java and Python.
• Lead complex software development efforts and deliver technical solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Support customer engagements, demonstrations, and technical evaluations.
• Develop technical documentation and present project results.
• Estimate development tasks and support long-term planning.
• Contribute to new and emerging RTX research areas.

Skills

Java development

Python development

Customer engagement

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Android development

Network programming

TAK experience

JavaScript

AI/ML development

Job description

Location: US-MN-ST LOUIS PARK-5775 ~ 5775 Wayzata Blvd ~ WAYZATA, Ste 630

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Hybrid

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: DoD Clearance: Top Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At RTX, the world 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.

For over 70 years, RTX BBN Technologies (BBN) has solved challenging problems through research, exploration, development, and prototyping. Our Intelligent Software & Systems department is seeking qualified applicants to work on forward looking and projects in the areas of distributed systems, artificial intelligence, cyber security, information management, and virtual technologies.

Role Overview

We are looking for experienced, creative, and highly motivated Sr. Principal Software Engineer who can hit the ground running with development tasks, interact with current customers, contribute to one or more project teams, and contribute to BBN’s growth of current and new research areas. As senior member of the team, responsibilities will also include development and presentation of reports documenting design, test and evaluation and technical results.

What You Will Do

• Develop and test software using Java and Python.
• Lead complex software development efforts and technical solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Support customer engagements, demonstrations, and technical evaluations.
• Develop technical documentation and present project results.
• Estimate development tasks and support long-term project planning.
• Contribute to new and emerging BBN research areas.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior software development experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years experience.
• 10+ years of Java development
• 10+ years of Python experience
• Experience interacting with customers, suppliers, and/or other organizations / disciplines.
• An active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Ability to lead complex development efforts
• Experience with estimating software tasks for extended periods of time (i.e. longer than 12 months).
• Android development experience a plus
• Network programming (e.g., sockets) or computer networking experience a plus
• JavaScript experience a plus
• Experience with the Team Awareness Kit (TAK) is a plus
• AI/ML development skills are a plus

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. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.

To help you achieve your goals, BBN will provide:

• A strong leadership team well-versed in government R&D
• A collaborative and collegial environment to push state-of-the-art research
• A diverse and technically competent pool of research scientists who are willing to mentor, listen, and help you refine your research vision and goals
• Business development, programmatic, contracting, finance, and HR support

Hybrid assignment: On-Site work at customer location. Additional travel to business locations may be required. Relocation Assistance available

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.

• 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

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.