Innovation Strategic Initiatives/Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Date Posted:

2026-03-17

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-CA-REMOTE

Position Role Type:

Remote

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring 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. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Raytheon’s Technology organization is seeking a passionate and experienced Principal Systems Engineer to perform in the role of Principal System Engineer - Innovation Strategic Initiatives. This role applies systems engineering discipline to emerging concepts to transform high-level ideas towards technically credible approaches, prototypes, and demonstrations. This role serves as a technical catalyst for internal innovators, partnering with idea authors to refine concepts, strengthen technical approaches, and guide projects through early maturation towards successful internal transition pathways.

The selected candidate will work across engineering disciplines to define problem spaces, shape solution architectures, and guide early technical development activities. By applying systems thinking and engineering rigor early in the innovation lifecycle this role helps move promising concepts into viable capabilities ready for internal transition pathways. As a technical lead the candidate will mentor innovators, facilitate technical requirements decomposition, and support the maturation of conceptions from ideation to proof-of-concept opportunities.

What You Will Do

• Apply systems engineering principles to accelerate early-stage innovation projects by partnering directly with innovators to refine technical concepts, clarify problem statements, and strengthen solution approaches.

• Decompose mission need and capability gaps into well-defined engineering problems that can be addressed through targeted technical efforts, prototypes, or demonstrations.

• Guide innovators in translating high-level concepts of operations into feasible innovation approaches and towards early protypes, demonstrations, models or simulations.

• Coach and mentor idea authors as they mature concepts into executable R&D efforts.

• Provide systems engineering oversight during early innovation maturation activities to drive technical rigor in areas such as requirements and idea risk reduction.

• Participate in technical reviews to assess feasibility, maturity, and mission relevance of employee submitted ideas.

• Support transition planning with idea owners to help ensure innovations demonstrate sufficient technical credibility for alignment with follow on opportunities.

• Maintain awareness of the enterprise R&D landscape, connecting idea authors with existing SMEs, labs, and resources to avoid reinventing the wheel.

• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support a strong culture of innovation.

Qualifications You Must Have  

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience

• Experience as a Principal Investigator (PI), Technical Lead, Systems Architect or System Design.

• Experience using standard data languages and tools (Python, R, Excel VBA, PowerBI, etc.)

• Experience writing and reviewing technical scoping documentation such as Concept of Operations (CONOPS), requirements documents, unit tests, and/or readiness review packages.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Technology Management, or STEM

• Experience with "Challenge Driven Innovation" methodologies.

• Experience with innovation management platforms: QMarkets, Ideanote, Brightidea, Itonics, Wazoku and/or IdeaScale  

• Experience translating business needs into specific, actionable technical initiatives or innovation campaigns.

• Experience leading innovation-focused workshops, hackathons, or ideation challenges.

• Experience with agile hardware or software prototyping (e.g., 3D printing/additive manufacturing, agile software methods, MVP software development)

•  Experience with grassroots innovation initiatives or employee engagement programs.

• Excellent communication skills to engage with both technical and non-technical audiences.

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

• Not Relocation Eligible – Relocation assistance not available

Learn More & Apply Now!

• Remote: This position currently is designated as remote. Employees who are working in remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home) but may be expected to travel to the site location as needed. The successful candidate for this role will be required to reside and work from one of the 50 U.S. states (excluding U.S. territories).

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

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.

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