Principal System Engineer

Date Posted: 2026-08-10 | Location: Colorado Springs, CO | Onsite role

Active and transferable U.S. government-issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

About the Role

At RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, you’ll join 185,000 great minds united by purpose and inspired to solve the world’s most complex problems. The Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) Surface Radars & Sensors Center is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Sensors (MDS) department. The MDS department delivers cutting-edge expertise in concept development, architectural design, requirements generation and flow-down, modeling and simulation, systems analysis, integration, test, and evaluation of world-class Missile Defense & Sensor Systems.

In this role, you will play a critical part in the enhancement and modernization of Ground-Based Radar (GBR) Systems. Your contributions will include developing and analyzing system requirements, designing system architectures, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver advanced radar solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of architectures and requirements to define, characterize, and document Ground Based Radar (GBR) systems.
• Contribute to architectural framework updates, system-of-system functional and performance requirements, detailed algorithm descriptions, test scenario definitions, and verification approaches.
• Conduct requirements analysis and benchmarking to validate algorithm designs and ensure system-level performance aligns with operational objectives.
• Collaborate closely with software and integration/test engineers to deliver innovative and high-performing radar solutions.

Requirements

• Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience with Radar Systems or related areas of systems engineering, including Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) and/or Cameo.
• Experience with MATLAB (including object-oriented programming), and/or LINUX operating systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with radar system concepts including detection, discrimination, tracking, and signal processing algorithms, as well as their behaviors and performance.
• Proven experience in system-level requirements development, documentation, maintenance, and/or the design of system-level software architecture.
• Hands-on experience in developing and coding system models, algorithms, test vectors, and evaluation tools to analyze radar requirements and performance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, document, and maintain processes, methods, and tools to ensure engineering excellence.
• Track record of developing technical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, and tools like DOORS.
• Familiarity with the software development process using Agile methodologies and associated tools, such as JIRA and Confluence.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a proven history of delivering innovative technical solutions.
• Proficiency with the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, including technical writing, oral presentations, and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience interfacing with customers and leading the development of technical solutions for complex user requirements.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a geographically distributed team environment.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines and communicating effectively with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.
• Advanced Degree in STEM.

Benefits

• 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.
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs (eligibility dependent on role level and collective-bargaining agreement).
• Relocation assistance available.

Pay

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