Technical Fellow - Research

Date Posted:

2025-09-15

Country:

United States of America

Location:

MA105: BBN Headquarters 10 Moulton Street , Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance:

DoD Clearance: Secret

The following position is being posted as part of the Corporate & Enterprise Services Technical Fellows program.

RTX Fellows serve as the technical foundation of our company. Through leadership, innovation, organizational impact, and talent development – our fellows ensure the technical excellence, and competitive advantage of our world-class people, processes, and products.

Fellows Pillars & Objectives (p.5)

(FOR INTERNAL RTX CANDIDATES ONLY) In addition to completing this application, please note the following additional requirements for Fellows roles: A sponsorship form and letter of intent must be submitted along with your resume/CV

 

(FOR ALL CANDIDATES) Should it be determined that you meet the basic qualifications, you will be invited to complete a supplemental application form. You will also be required to solicit a number of recommendation letters from both internal and external sources.

Role Description

Technical Fellow, Sensor Systems – RTX BBN Technologies

RTX BBN Technologies’ (BBN) Physical Sciences and Systems business unit is seeking a Sensor Systems Technical Fellow to lead in the growth of our unique sensing and sensor processing capabilities. Our department focuses on bridging the gap between sensing physical phenomena at the limits of detection and creating custom high-throughput, low-latency processing hardware and software systems to give those data meaning and utility. Together with our innovative drive, we work to expand our research into new areas through extensive collaborations with internal and external partners.

This Technical Fellow will be responsible for innovating, developing and promoting excellence in technologies at the forefront of acoustic, vibrational, optical, and other sensing modalities along with the signal conversion, algorithm development, and algorithmic processing machinery to support these modalities. Beyond, developing new technologies, our Technical Fellows communicate the capabilities of our organization at all levels – from explaining the how and why of what we build for our customers and colleagues, to recruiting and mentoring our next generation of talented teammates.

What You Will Do:

The successful candidate will:

• Develop cutting-edge capabilities combining sensing, signal conversion, COTS and custom signal processing hardware, and data processing algorithms in multiple physical domains including acoustic, vibrational, optical, electromagnetic, and RF.
• Lead the design, implementation, and performance validation of advanced sensor and sensor data processing systems.
• Model and conduct empirical experiments of sensor processing systems to inform research and development of next-generation signal processing technologies in time, frequency, and hybrid domains.
• Grow department business through bookings, revenue, and pursuing topic areas of the Physical Sciences and Systems Business Unit at BBN.
• Serve as Principal Investigator for new and existing programs in the Sensor Systems Line of Business, working to continue existing technical thrusts and expand into new technologies, applications, customers, and markets.
• Support creation of strategic plans among the technical team aligned with the Sensors Line of Business and lead new business pursuits, capture, and execution.
• Work across BBN and RTX to integrate and field advanced capabilities applicable to technology roadmaps of RTX Corporate, Raytheon, Collins, and Pratt & Whitney.
• Influence business strategies, technical roadmaps, and research directions across BBN, RTX, funding agencies, and industry.
• Distinguish BBN to customers by leading and delivering top-tier sensor systems research and development.
• Distinguish BBN within the greater scientific and industrial community through outreach, writing and supporting technical papers, presentations, US and EU patent generation, and other forms of engagement.
• Recruit talented technical staff to support business growth and provide mentorship to ensure staff retention and career growth.
• Identify gaps in existing customer requirements and research efforts to conceive and recommend BBN and/or joint BBN/RTX IRAD projects to advance capabilities and IP associated with sensor systems and sensor data processing.

In addition to the listed responsibilities, this Technical Fellow is expected to propose new ideas and solutions to challenging scientific and technological problems in the sensing, digital signal processing, and data analysis domains. This position works with technical and business leaders and staff across BBN, other RTX Business Units, and external subcontract and prime contractors.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and will require travel to BBN, RTX, teammate, and customer sites for meetings and other business-related activities.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years experience
• Expert in signal processing from two or more of the following sensor system types: acoustic, seismic, fiber optic, and ultrasonic.
• Ten plus years’ progressive experience in the defense industry leading Government-funded contracts and leading technical teams performing contract R&D.
• Ten plus years’ experience providing Subject Matter Expert (SME) support, novel ideas, and building trusted relationships.
• Acknowledged as Technical Expert by US Government customers in acoustic, seismic, and fiber optic sensing, applications, and related processing systems and techniques.
• Extensive technical end-to-end experience exploiting multiple physical sensing modalities, sensor data conversion, analog to digital, and digital to analog data conversion, and digital signal processing.
• Extensive customer contacts in US Government and demonstrated record as Principal Investigator with success obtaining funding and executing new and follow-on programs.
• Demonstrated success in growing portfolio bookings and revenue in sensor system areas. A proven track record of winning external funding from multiple US Government Science and Technology agencies (e.g., DARPA, DHS, IC, DoD Service Labs, US Navy, US Air Force) and expertise with fielding technologies to operational customers.
• Proficient in commonly used programming language such as MATLAB, C, C++, or Python.
• Lead author of technical volume for several successful contract awards.
• Extensive track record as Principal Investigator for winning R&D proposals to the US Government. Success leading subsequent funded contracts to successful outcomes.
• Experience in managing R&D programs, with a track record of success in executing major research programs and managing R&D staff.
• Excellent communication skills working with senior business and customer leaders on matters of strategic importance to the business or enterprise, including written documentation, presentations, system diagramming.
• Experience leading R&D teams of technical experts, mentoring / developing technical staff, project leads and research engineers to develop and deliver customer solutions.
• Current DOD Secret clearance and 5+ years working on classified programs.
• Industry recognition, in the form of awards, patents, or customer references for technical expertise in novel sensing methodologies across multiple physical domains.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Advanced degree (Masters, PhD) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or another related technical field.
• DOD Top Secret clearance.
• A documented track-record of innovating solutions to real problems where others have struggled.
• A documented history of taking on and successfully bringing to fruition projects in peril.
• Experience developing and deploying AI/ML algorithms for DOD programs and systems.
• Experience preparing and presenting oral technical proposals. Test or analysis lead for field tests of acoustic, seismic, fiber optic, or ultrasonic sensor systems.

Work Location

This is a hybrid role, eligible candidates must reside within commuting distance from Cambridge, MA
Relocation Eligible: Yes

 

What We Offer: Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.

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 160,000 USD - 322,000 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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