Principal Software and Systems Test Engineer

Date Posted: 2026-07-30 | Location: Chesapeake, VA (Hybrid) | U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance; active clearance required after day 1.

About the Role

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, you’ll join 185,000 great minds united by purpose to solve the world’s most complex problems. With market-leading businesses, world-class operations, and investments in research and development, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Raytheon brings over 100 years of engineering expertise to deliver solutions that defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute test plans for signal processing and radar system software
• Implement and maintain C++-based test tools, frameworks, and automated test solutions
• Use MATLAB or Python to analyze large RF and sensor data sets, perform algorithm assessment, and verify system performance
• Integrate signal processing algorithms into hardware testbeds and support lab-based system evaluation
• Conduct debugging, fault isolation, and performance tuning across software and hardware interfaces
• Collaborate with software, systems, signal processing, and hardware engineering teams to resolve issues and validate requirements
• Participate in design reviews, requirements verification, and system-level testing events
• Support documentation, technical reporting, and data-driven briefings to internal and external stakeholders

Requirements

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations
• Experience developing or testing software using C or C++
• Experience analyzing data sets using MATLAB or Python
• Experience with signal processing, radar systems, RF systems, or sensor modeling
• Experience working in Linux/UNIX environments
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain an interim secret U.S. security clearance prior to the start date

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with radar detection, tracking, imaging, or discrimination algorithms
• Experience with hardware/software integration and lab-based system testing
• Familiarity with ionospheric propagation dynamics
• Familiarity with modeling and simulation environments
• Experience with version control tools such as Git
• Knowledge of real-time processing and performance optimization
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, Applied Math, or related technical field

Pay

The salary range for this role is $107,500 – $204,500 USD. The 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and 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
• Eligibility for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs (dependent on role level and collective-bargaining agreement status)