Principal Software Engineer - Section and Technical Lead

Date Posted: 2026-09-14 Country: United States of America

Location: US-TX-MCKINNEY-513WD ~ 2501 W University Dr ~ WING D BLDG

Position Role Type: Onsite

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 Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Raytheon brings 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. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

We are seeking an experienced principal ‑ level software technical leader with deep knowledge of real‑time embedded systems, advanced algorithms, and system‑level integration to support Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) programs. This individual will serve as both as a senior technical individual contributor and as a section lead.

As a Section Lead , the candidate will be responsible for managing software engineering staffing, talent development, performance management, and maintaining consistent execution across multiple fast‑moving software baselines. This position provides an opportunity to grow your skillset by contributing to the development of our workforce and creating and fostering an inclusive environment.

What You Will do :

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 the direct line management activities for the section including communication, performance management, career development, and talent acquisition

Work as a technical lead or individual contributor on the program; Section Lead duties account for approximately 10-15% of the employee’s time

This job is onsite in McKinney, TX; applicants must be in the area or willing to relocate to it.

Qualifications You Must Have:

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience.

Experience implementing and validating real‑time algorithms and supporting Software and Hardware integration on embedded platforms.

Experience communicating, collaborating with teams, and translating technical considerations to clear and actionable guidance.

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

Qualifications We Prefer:

Experience with EO/IR or sensor‑based targeting systems.

Familiarity with agile processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and automated testing methods.

Experience coordinating across multiple product lines or quick‑reaction capability programs.

Prior experience in a functional or leadership role (managing performance, conducting reviews, mentoring, general support of staff, hiring, etc.).

Proven track record of effectively interacting with subordinates, customers and other organizations/disciplines

Active and transferable U.S. government issued Secret security clearance.

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.

Relocation offered based on eligibility

Learn More & Apply Now!

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role:

Onsite : Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Clearance Information: This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS) , an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process.

More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

Location Information: This position is onsite at our campus in beautiful McKinney, TX.

https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-north-texas-location

Welcome to Raytheon in McKinney, TX - YouTube

We Are RTX

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 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.

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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