Senior Software Engineer - Technical Lead

Prattwhitney; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite labs access

Career development programs

Relocation offered (eligibility)

Job summary

RTX in McKinney, TX is seeking an experienced software engineer to lead embedded kernel and driver development for mission-critical systems. You will influence hardware interfaces (PCIe, UART, SPI) and work across Systems, FPGA, and Hardware teams to ensure robust integration.

The role requires a strong background in C/C++, Linux OS, and real-time concepts, with the ability to navigate complex cross-domain dependencies and maintain security-conscious practices on secure platforms.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in systems-level programming and Linux environments.
• Experience with CI/CD and Agile software development practices.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee development of Linux kernel modules, device drivers, and platform services for embedded compute platforms.
• Coordinate driver interfaces and data contracts with Systems, FPGA, Sensor, and Hardware teams.
• Guide driver integration across heterogeneous processing environments (CPU, GPU, accelerators).
• Lead design and review of boot/config artifacts like DeviceTree, GRUB, U-Boot, and real-time kernel configurations.
• Drive debugging and root-cause analyses for complex kernel-level issues.
• Champion secure coding and DevSecOps practices across CI/CD pipelines.

Skills

C/C++

Linux kernel

Device drivers

PCIe/I/O

CI/CD

Agile

Rust

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Yocto

DeviceTree

Git

CMake/Conan

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-20 Country: United States of America Location: US-TX-MCKINNEY-513WD ~ 2501 W University Dr ~ WING D BLDG 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. Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Software organization develops the applications that drive missiles, launchers, radars, naval systems, fire control and other complex systems, as well as the integration and test software. These applications integrate firmware, operating systems, device drivers, networking, and control software to bring together sensor, guidance, and flight control capabilities to complete the mission. The Software org is made up of several Centers located across the country, responsible for all aspects of the software development lifecycle. Our 4000+ software engineers design, develop, and build innovative solutions for our customers. Join our fast-paced agile teams on the leading edge of technology.

What You Will Do

• Lead and oversee development of Linux kernel modules, device drivers, board-support packages, and low-level platform services for x86_64 and ARM embedded compute platforms, ensuring strong technical direction and consistent engineering quality.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for hardware interface implementations including PCIe (MMIO, MSI-X, DMA), UART, SPI/BPI, and other mission-critical I/O subsystems.
• Coordinate driver interface definitions and data contracts with Systems, FPGA, Sensor, and Hardware teams, ensuring alignment across hardware/software integration points and cross-domain dependencies.
• Guide driver integration activities across heterogeneous processing environments (CPU, GPU, accelerators), shaping how low-level components participate in larger compute pipelines.
• Lead design, maintenance, and review of platform boot and configuration artifacts such as DeviceTree, GRUB, U-Boot, and real-time kernel configurations (e.g., RedHawk).
• Direct debugging efforts for complex kernel-level or hardware-interaction issues in multi-node or distributed embedded environments, ensuring rapid resolution paths and robust root-cause analysis.
• Drive team execution within Agile processes, setting sprint priorities, guiding technical decompositions, and ensuring high-quality integration through CI/CD and DevSecOps pipelines (automated builds, testing, secure workflows).
• Lead performance optimization initiatives targeting low-latency and high-throughput driver workloads, ensuring drivers meet mission-critical throughput and real-time performance expectations.
• Champion secure coding and platform security practices, including SELinux/AppArmor, secure configuration hardening, and continuous improvements to driver quality, tooling, and development rigor.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience in at least one systems-level programming language (e.g., C, C++, or Rust) and developing software in Linux environments.
• Experience with real-time, platform, or low-level system development concepts.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and/or DevSecOps practices and working within Agile software development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, or similar).
• 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.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Demonstrated leadership experience, formal or informal, such as mentoring junior engineers, coordinating small technical initiatives, facilitating team collaboration, driving engineering best practices, and/or guiding peers toward successful delivery.
• Familiarity with PCIe, MMIO, DMA, MSI-X, UART, SPI/BPI, and other hardware I/O standards.
• Familiarity with CMake, Conan, and/or Artifactory.
• Experience developing kernel modules, KO files, memory mapping, interrupts, and driver bring-up.
• Experience with Yocto, PetaLinux, DeviceTree, GRUB, U-Boot, or BSP tools.
• Exposure to IPMI, BIT, sensor system drivers, or other hardware integration workflows.
• Understanding of Linux OS security, SELinux/AppArmor, container security best practices.
• Experience with Ethernet, IP/TCP/UDP, or network interface development.
• Experience with VPX/SOSA architectures and embedded compute hardware.
• Knowledge of NVIDIA GPU drivers or CUDA for driver integration in compute pipelines.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead development of mission-critical embedded software supporting national defense.
• Collaborative engineering environment with strong technical mentorship.
• Onsite team environment with hands‑on access to hardware and labs.
• Career development through Raytheon engineering advancement programs.

At RTX we value:

• Safety
• Trust
• Respect
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

Relocation Offered Based On Eligibility

Clearance Information: This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

Location Information: This position is onsite at our campus in beautiful McKinney, TX. https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-north-texas-location

Welcome to Raytheon in McKinney, TX - YouTube

We Are RTX 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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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.

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 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: Click on this link to read the 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.