Senior Researcher, Photonics / Optics

Prattwhitney; East Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

Health benefits

Job summary

RTX Technology Research Center in East Hartford seeks a motivated researcher in Electromagnetics with a photonics focus to join our Electromagnetics and Network Systems Team. You will develop optical and photonic devices, perform simulations and experiments, and contribute to proposals to advance IP for aerospace and defense applications.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, with opportunities to impact imaging, sensing, and RF‑photonics technologies

Qualifications

• Master's degree with minimum 3 years of experience in physics, engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of electromagnetism focused on photonics and/or optics, including photonic integrated circuits.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience using computational or experimental methods to develop new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Conceive and design novel optical, photonic devices.
• Demonstrate concepts via simulation, fabrication and experiments.
• Contribute to internal and external research proposals.
• Disseminate results through reports, conferences and publications.

Skills

Electromagnetics

Photonics

Research

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Physics or Engineering

PhD in related field

Tools

Computational modeling

Experimental lab skills

Job description

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.

Location & Eligibility

Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-RTRC L ~ 411 Silver Ln ~ RTRC L Position Role Type: Hybrid U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62 Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required

Compensation

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels.

Role Overview

The RTX Technology Research Center is seeking a motivated and collaborative researcher in Electromagnetics with a focus on photonics to join our Electromagnetics and Network Systems Team. Our Electromagnetics and Network Systems Team research focuses on developing advanced devices that leverage the interaction between RF, photonics, and functional materials for imaging, sensing, communication, and information‑processing technologies across the electromagnetic spectrum, supporting aerospace and defense applications. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, we transition novel concepts from early technology stages to a readiness level that influences RTX business applications.

What You Will Do

• Supporting the conception and design of novel optical, photonic devices.
• Proof‑of‑concept demonstrations via simulation, fabrication, and experiments.
• Supporting the preparation of internal and external research proposals.
• Supporting dissemination of research results through reports, conference proceedings, and peer‑reviewed articles.
• Development of intellectual property.
• Working on the execution of existing projects as well as contributing to develop new research programs.
• A strong background and understanding of electromagnetism and its application across areas such as sensing and radar, communications, and imaging.
• Self‑motivation along with excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong collaboration abilities, problem solving capabilities, and interpersonal strengths, supported by a record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, and initiative.
• Technical proficiency in one or more of the following domains: design and development of optical, photonics and integrated circuit structures, optics/photonics/RF laboratory experimentation, multi physics or multi domain modeling for photonics/optics applications.

What You Will Learn

You will learn to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team including RTX Technology Research Center and broader RTX network, and contribute to advanced research projects, applying your expertise to tackle some of the most challenging engineering and scientific problems in the aerospace and defense sectors.

Qualifications

You Must Have

• Masters degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience or PhD in Physics, Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in fundamental principles of electromagnetism focused on photonics and/or optics, including photonic integrated circuits.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in the application of computational and/or experimental skills towards the development of new technologies.

We Prefer

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: integrated photonics (e.g., photonic integrated circuits, heterogenous integration, nano-photonics, optoelectronic devices), quantum network and sensing, optical metasurfaces, optical system design, non‑linear optics, computational imaging, lasers.
• Knowledge of emerging research areas and techniques, materials and structures for RF, photonics and quantum systems.
• Practical knowledge of project management and practical to substantial knowledge of RTX projects, programs, or systems with the ability to make enhancements and leverage in daily work.

What We Offer

• Parental (including paternal) leave
• Flexible work schedules
• Achievement awards
• Educational assistance
• Child/adult backup care
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays.
• 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 Section503 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.