Associate Director - Chief Engineer & Researcher, Advanced ISR Solutions
About The Position
RTX, a global aerospace and defense company with 185,000 employees, is seeking an experienced Chief Engineer & Research Lead for its Advanced Product & Solutions business unit. This role is within the ISR Information and Intelligence Engineering group, which develops algorithms and software for processing and optimizing intelligence products from high-altitude imaging sensors. The position requires a technical leader who can simultaneously drive program execution excellence and scientific/technical innovation, blending technical program leadership, advanced R&D strategy, and cross-disciplinary engineering oversight. The successful candidate will work with state-of-the-art EO/IR imaging systems, guide the maturation of next-generation sensing technologies, and lead teams in solving complex problems in remote sensing, image exploitation, and ISR system performance. This role focuses on driving solutions from concept to fielded capability.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
- 12+ years of experience in applied research, advanced systems development, or relevant technical leadership.
- Recognized subject matter expertise in EOIR systems
- Experience with leading large, complex R&D programs.
- Experience collaborating across disciplines (systems engineering, signal processing, AI/ML, autonomy, etc.).
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to broad audiences.
- Experience with with guiding high performing multi-discipline teams.
- Active and transferable U.S. government issued Top 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
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of hyperspectral imaging systems, including sensor phenomenology & exploitation algorithms
- Experience in government funded research (DARPA, ONR, AFRL, NIH, etc.) or advanced defense/industry R&D.
- Prior experience as a Chief Engineer, Chief Scientist, Technical Fellow, or Principal Investigator.
- Experience transitioning research concepts into fielded systems
- Experience with end-to-end modeling and simulation of EOR systems and missions
- Familiarity with systems engineering processes, modeling and simulation, and mission level analysis.
Responsibilities
- Lead multi‑disciplinary engineering teams executing EO/IR imaging system programs, ensuring high‑quality technical performance and mission success.
- Take overall responsibility for cost, schedule, and technical performance for program technical tasks.
- Serve as the primary technical interface to customers and act as the voice of the customer within the engineering organization
- Oversee development of advanced models, algorithms, prototypes, and system concepts aligned with ISR mission needs.
- Provide technical direction and oversight across multidisciplinary R&D teams, ensuring rigor, quality, and repeatability.
- Lead collaborations with universities, government research agencies, and external partners to advance technology and expand technical breadth
- Identify emerging technologies, assess their impact, and recommend strategic investments.
- Support capture efforts, proposal development, and technical solution design for major programs.
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
- holidays
- annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
