Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME (Cyber & Analytics)

Prattwhitney; Maryland; On-site; USD 146,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k) plan with match

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Applied Signal Technology (AST) seeks a Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME (Cyber & Analytics) for an onsite role in Annapolis Junction, MD. The incumbent will lead cyber intelligence research, oversee threat analytics, and guide next‑gen TIP development while coordinating with sponsors and AST management.

Requirements include a STEM degree with 7+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 10+ years, deep knowledge of cyber operations, and an active TS/SCI with Poly. U.S.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and extensive experience, or an advanced degree with substantial experience.
• Experience in cyber operations, threat analysis, and adversary tradecraft.
• Strong scripting skills (Bash, Python, Perl) and systems integration know‑how.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance required prior to start date.

Responsibilities

• Advance research, innovation, and technical delivery in cyber intelligence for defensive operations.
• Provide engineering oversight in adversary emulation, threat hunting, and cyber analytics.
• Lead architecture and end‑to‑end integration of complex packet‑based platforms.
• Develop CONOP designs and transition solutions to fieldable systems.
• Prepare briefings and coordinate with customers and management.

Skills

Cyber analytics

Threat intelligence

Adversary tradecraft

Python

Bash

Perl

System integration

Leadership

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Python

Bash

Perl

Job description

Job Details

Position: Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME (Cyber & Analytics)

Company: Applied Signal Technology (AST)

Location: 306 Sentinel Dr, Annapolis Junction, MD (339 BLDG)

Role type: Onsite. U.S. citizenship required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. Current security clearance TS/SCI with Poly required prior to start date.

The salary range for this role is 145,600 USD - 276,800 USD.

About Us

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. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Applied Signal Technology (AST) is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME (Cyber & Analytics) who strives for excellence and has a passion to be part of a team that strengthens our nation and improves the security of our world. AST provides trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT & Cyber solutions that secure the interests of the U.S. and its partners. AST’s work in areas such as high‑capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications continually challenge our extraordinary engineers to resolve problems and make the world a safer place. AST’s work environment is dynamic, highly collaborative and provides engineers the freedom to strengthen and expand their skills, explore new and creative ideas, and work closely with our nation’s finest service members all while embracing integrity, innovation and work‑life balance.

This is an ON‑SITE position located at our Annapolis Junction, MD location.

What You Will Do

• Advance research, innovation, and technical delivery in cyber intelligence to enable defensive cyber operations (DCO), secure weapons systems, and analyze adversarial threat vectors for government sponsors
• Hands‑on technical or engineering oversight in adversary emulation, threat hunting, cyber analytics, malware analysis, or reverse engineering.
• Guide sponsors in building out next‑generation Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs) and target development
• Serve as the senior technical authority in leading the architecture, end‑to‑end systems integration, and optimization of complex packet‑based hardware and software platforms that directly drive Computer Network Operations (CNO) and SIGINT mission outcomes
• Architect, modernize, and optimize complex mission systems utilizing COTS/GOTS; drive automation initiatives to enhance system reliability under tight timelines; provide top‑tier troubleshooting for lifecycle sustainment
• Generate, analyze, and mature Concept of Operation (CONOP) designs which will be a blueprint for operational missions, mission support, and/or mission sustainment
• Perform as a key contributor in transitioning technical solutions to fieldable/operational solutions
• Generate briefings and present material to team members, customers, and AST management as necessary
• Have extensive early and continuing interaction with customers to define the solution, project scope and then act as a liaison for the customer within the company
• Collaborate with project managers and other professionals within Engineering Travel up to 25%

Qualifications – You Must Have

• 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
• Experience in strategic, operational/tactical, and contingency planning in support of CONOP generation/refinement and will enable efficient transition from concept to mission operation
• Experience in operational cyber, cyber intelligence, or related mission spaces
• Deep knowledge of adversary tradecraft, TTPs, and utilizing cyber operations as a tool of statecraft
• Working command of hardware/software infrastructure, custom automation scripting (BASH, Perl, Python)
• Experience formalizing, developing, and writing requirements, plans, and procedures based on customer discussions, briefings, interaction, and statements of work
• Experience with bid and proposal activities related to system development
• Experience recognizing areas of improvement or customer needs and relaying them to senior staff as business development possibilities
• Experience interacting with development teams to resolve discrepancies and issues
• Experience identifying, analyzing and resolving problems in all phases of the system lifecycle
• Experience with Systems Integration, and test design, planning and execution
• Experience leading design and development teams
• Active and transferable Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI) U.S. government issued security clearance with polygraph is required prior to start date. U.S citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications – We Prefer

• Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) concentration and 10 years of experience
• Experience with Design, Development, Integration and Test of complex systems
• Experience with Telecommunications standards and processing techniques
• Direct experience in enterprise telecommunication network design, deployment, and sustainment (specifically focused on both Metro area and long haul networks)
• Adept at communicating (verbal and written) with all levels within and outside the company, ability to prepare and deliver presentations/summaries which appropriately address the intended audience
• Experience developing system level designs, high level control and data interfaces
• Experience with cybersecurity concepts such as red/blue teaming, defense‑in‑depth, and/or network penetration
• Experience with reverse engineering software and/or hardware
• Experience with Design, Development, Integration and Test of complex Communication systems
• Experience in developing proof‑of‑concept (PoC) use case scenarios for novel cybersecurity systems
• Experience with creating proof‑of‑concept (PoC) use case scenarios and prototypes from initial ideas
• Existing TS/SCI with Polygraph (within the last 24 months)

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 illnessinsurance, 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
• And More!

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. 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 145,600 USD - 276,800 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.

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.

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.