Principal Software Engineer - Section and Technical Lead

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership by delegating, reviewing, and guiding engineering work to ensure disciplined implementation of key embedded system algorithms.
• Review code, validate algorithm behavior, and drive strong engineering practices through clear technical rationale and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with systems and cross‑functional leads to support integration, verification, and delivery of multiple simultaneous efforts.
• Manage section staffing, workload balancing, and long‑term workforce planning, ensuring a healthy and well‑supported engineering organization.
• Perform performance management, coaching, and career development to grow talent and maintain strong engineering capabilities.
• Champion engineering discipline excellence through process ownership, best‑practice promotion, inclusive culture building, and stable leadership across programs.
• Oversee direct line‑management activities for the section including communication, performance management, career development, and talent acquisition.
• Serve as a technical lead or individual contributor on the program; section‑lead duties account for approximately 10‑15% of time.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience.
• Experience implementing and validating real‑time algorithms and supporting software and hardware integration on embedded platforms.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with ability to translate technical considerations into clear, actionable guidance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued Secret security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship (required for clearance).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electro‑optical/infrared (EO/IR) or sensor‑based targeting systems.
• Familiarity with agile processes, including Scrum, continuous integration, and automated testing.
• Experience coordinating across multiple product lines or quick‑reaction capability programs.
• Prior functional or leadership experience (managing performance, conducting reviews, mentoring, hiring, etc.).
• Proven track record of effective interaction with subordinates, customers, and other organizations/disciplines.
• Active, transferable U.S. government‑issued Secret security clearance.

Benefits

• Company values: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, Innovation.
• Relocation assistance (based on eligibility).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• 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 (subject to performance and business factors).

Pay

Salary range: $107,500 – $204,500 USD (good‑faith estimate representing all experience levels). RTX considers role, function, responsibilities, experience, location, education/training, and key skills when extending an offer.

Location

Onsite at RTX campus, 2501 W University Dr, Wing D, McKinney, TX, United States.

Security Clearance

• DoD Secret clearance required.
• Active and existing clearance required from day 1.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued Secret clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Role Type

Onsite – employees work primarily onsite.