Principal Systems Engineer
π Job Overview
- Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer
- Company: RTX
- Location: MA131: Tewksbury, MA Bldg 1 Assabet 50 Apple Hill Drive Assabet - Building 1, Tewksbury, MA, 01876 USA
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Systems Engineering
- Date Posted: 2025-06-25
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
- Lead concept and requirements development for complex systems in Raytheon's Integrated Air & Missile Defense Systems (IAMDS) department.
- Collaborate with customers to bring new capabilities to the warfighter and optimize algorithms for fielded systems.
- Conduct functional analysis of real-world and test data, and perform multi-disciplinary development efforts across the kill-chain for an Air and Missile Defense System.
- Work onsite in Tewksbury, MA.
π Enhancement Note: This role focuses on systems engineering for air and missile defense systems, requiring a strong background in radar systems, data analysis, and customer collaboration.
π» Primary Responsibilities
- Concept and Requirements Development: Decompose and flow down requirements, and develop concepts of operations (CONOPS) for complex systems.
- Algorithm Optimization and R&D: Optimize algorithms, conduct trade studies, and research new features to enhance fielded systems.
- Data Analysis: Analyze real-world and test data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
- Customer Collaboration: Work closely with customers to understand their needs and bring new capabilities to the warfighter.
- Multi-disciplinary Development: Contribute to cross-functional development efforts across the kill-chain for air and missile defense systems.
π Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of systems engineering principles, data analysis techniques, and customer collaboration skills to drive complex system development and enhancement.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.
Experience:
- Typically requires 8 years of prior relevant experience.
- Experience with radar systems (e.g., PATRIOT, LTAMDS, AN/TPY-2) is preferred.
- Experience with both broad, large-scale data analysis and focused root-cause analysis is preferred.
- Experience with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, system level architecture, signal processing techniques, and electronic warfare techniques is a plus.
Required Skills:
- Ability to obtain a security clearance and U.S. citizenship.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with technical, customer, and senior leadership audiences.
- Familiarity with MATLAB, DOORS, and MS Office.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience interfacing with external customers.
- Experience across the product development life cycle.
- Existing DoD Security Clearance.
π Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background in systems engineering, data analysis, and customer collaboration, with a preference for experience in radar systems and relevant technologies.
π Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate experience in systems engineering, data analysis, and customer collaboration through relevant projects and case studies.
- Highlight expertise in radar systems, algorithm optimization, and system level architecture.
- Showcase ability to analyze and interpret complex data to drive system improvements.
Technical Documentation:
- Provide detailed documentation of past projects, including requirements decomposition, CONOPS development, algorithm optimization, and data analysis techniques.
- Include examples of customer collaboration and successful system enhancements.
π Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong portfolio demonstrating systems engineering expertise, data analysis skills, and customer collaboration experience, with a focus on radar systems and relevant technologies.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $101,000 - $203,000 USD per year. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
- 401(k) match and flexible spending accounts.
- Flexible work schedules and employee assistance program.
- Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits package are competitive for a principal systems engineering role in the defense industry, with a focus on comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Defense and aerospace.
Company Size: Large (over 100,000 employees).
Founded: 1922.
Team Structure:
- The IAMDS department leads all aspects of Systems Engineering for Raytheon's Land and Air Defense Systems mission area.
- The team supports Raytheon by cultivating a world-class group of systems thinkers who work together to architect technical solutions to complex challenges.
Development Methodology:
- The team follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on customer collaboration and iterative development.
- They emphasize cross-functional collaboration, code reviews, and continuous learning.
Company Website: RTX
π Enhancement Note: RTX is a large defense contractor with a strong focus on systems engineering and customer collaboration, offering a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Systems Engineering Career Level: This role is at the principal level, requiring extensive experience in systems engineering, data analysis, and customer collaboration.
Reporting Structure: The principal systems engineer will report to the IAMDS department manager and work closely with cross-functional teams and external customers.
Technical Impact: The principal systems engineer will have a significant impact on the development and enhancement of Raytheon's air and missile defense systems, driving improvements through data analysis and customer collaboration.
Growth Opportunities:
- Lead and mentor junior systems engineers.
- Take on more complex projects and drive strategic decision-making.
- Transition into a technical leadership or management role within the IAMDS department or broader Raytheon organization.
π Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities for experienced systems engineers looking to advance their careers in the defense industry, with a focus on leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and driving strategic decision-making.
π Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.
Office Location(s): Tewksbury, MA.
Workspace Context:
- The Tewksbury office offers a collaborative workspace with multiple monitors and testing devices available for systems engineers.
- The team emphasizes knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible work arrangements and maintenance windows as needed.
π Enhancement Note: RTX's Tewksbury office provides a collaborative workspace for systems engineers, with a focus on knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and flexible work arrangements.
π Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Technical Phone Screen: Assess systems engineering fundamentals, data analysis techniques, and customer collaboration skills.
- On-site Technical Interview: Evaluate system level architecture, algorithm optimization, and problem-solving skills through hands-on exercises and case studies.
- Behavioral Interview: Assess cultural fit, communication skills, and customer collaboration experience.
- Final Review: Evaluate overall fit and make a hiring decision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight relevant projects and case studies demonstrating systems engineering expertise, data analysis skills, and customer collaboration experience.
- Include examples of algorithm optimization, system level architecture, and successful system enhancements.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on systems engineering fundamentals, data analysis techniques, and customer collaboration skills.
- Prepare for hands-on exercises and case studies focused on system level architecture, algorithm optimization, and problem-solving.
ATS Keywords: Systems Engineering, Data Analysis, Customer Collaboration, Radar Systems, Algorithm Optimization, System Level Architecture, Problem-Solving, Defense Industry, Agile Methodologies, Cross-Functional Teams.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on assessing systems engineering expertise, data analysis skills, and customer collaboration experience, with a strong emphasis on hands-on exercises and case studies.
π Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Systems Engineering Tools:
- MATLAB: For algorithm development, optimization, and data analysis.
- DOORS: For requirements management and traceability.
- MS Office: For documentation, presentation, and collaboration.
Radar Systems:
- PATRIOT: For air and missile defense capabilities.
- LTAMDS: For long-range tracking and missile defense.
- AN/TPY-2: For long-range surveillance and tracking.
Electronic Warfare Techniques:
- Electronic Attack: For disrupting enemy systems and communications.
- Electronic Protection: For protecting friendly systems from enemy electronic attack.
π Enhancement Note: This role requires expertise in systems engineering tools, radar systems, and electronic warfare techniques, with a focus on algorithm optimization, data analysis, and customer collaboration.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Systems Engineering Values:
- Customer Focus: Prioritize customer needs and collaborate closely with external stakeholders to bring new capabilities to the warfighter.
- Innovation: Continuously research and develop new features and enhancements to improve fielded systems.
- Quality: Ensure high-quality systems through rigorous testing, code reviews, and iterative development.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams and external customers to drive system improvements and enhancements.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure systems meet user needs and requirements.
- Code Review Culture: Conduct regular code reviews to ensure high-quality systems and knowledge sharing.
- Peer Programming: Collaborate with other systems engineers to solve complex problems and drive system enhancements.
π Enhancement Note: RTX's IAMDS department emphasizes customer focus, innovation, quality, and collaboration, with a strong culture of cross-functional integration, code reviews, and peer programming.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Optimize algorithms for real-time performance and scalability in complex, high-stakes environments.
- Analyze large, diverse datasets to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
- Collaborate effectively with external customers to understand their needs and drive system enhancements.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Stay up-to-date with the latest systems engineering techniques, tools, and best practices.
- Develop expertise in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Lead and mentor junior systems engineers to drive team growth and knowledge sharing.
π Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges in algorithm optimization, data analysis, and customer collaboration, with ample opportunities for learning, development, and growth.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Systems Engineering Fundamentals: Explain systems engineering principles, requirements decomposition, and CONOPS development.
- Data Analysis Techniques: Describe your approach to analyzing large, diverse datasets and identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
- Customer Collaboration: Discuss your experience working with external customers to understand their needs and drive system enhancements.
Company & Culture Questions:
- RTX Culture: Describe what you value most about RTX's culture and how it aligns with your personal values and work style.
- IAMDS Department: Explain why you are interested in joining the IAMDS department and how your skills and experience align with the team's mission and goals.
- Customer Focus: Describe your approach to customer collaboration and how you ensure that systems meet user needs and requirements.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Relevant Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise in systems engineering, data analysis, and customer collaboration.
- Case Studies: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to optimize algorithms, analyze data, and drive system enhancements.
- User Experience: Showcase your understanding of user needs and how you incorporate user feedback into system design and development.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on assessing systems engineering expertise, data analysis skills, and customer collaboration experience, with a strong emphasis on hands-on exercises, case studies, and cultural fit.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Principal Systems Engineer position:
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your systems engineering, data analysis, and customer collaboration experience, with a focus on radar systems and relevant technologies.
- Prepare Your Portfolio: Include relevant projects, case studies, and examples of algorithm optimization, data analysis, and customer collaboration.
- Research RTX: Learn about RTX's culture, values, and mission, and prepare questions to ask during the interview process.
- Practice Technical Interview Questions: Brush up on systems engineering fundamentals, data analysis techniques, and customer collaboration skills, and prepare for hands-on exercises and case studies.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with RTX before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Typically requires a Bachelorβs in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and 8 years of prior relevant experience. U.S. citizenship is required as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.