Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME (Cyber & Analytics)

RTX•Annapolis Junction, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Applied Signal Technology (AST), a Collins Aerospace business within RTX, is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer / SME focused on cyber and analytics. The role advances research, innovation, and technical delivery in cyber intelligence to support defensive cyber operations, secure weapons systems, and analysis of adversarial threat vectors for government sponsors. It serves as a senior technical authority for complex packet-based hardware and software platforms supporting Computer Network Operations and SIGINT missions, leading architecture, end-to-end systems integration, and optimization. The engineer will guide sponsors in developing next-generation Threat Intelligence Platforms and target development, and contribute hands-on technical expertise or engineering oversight in areas such as adversary emulation, threat hunting, cyber analytics, malware analysis, and reverse engineering. The role also involves modernizing mission systems using COTS/GOTS, improving reliability through automation, troubleshooting lifecycle sustainment issues, and developing CONOP designs that support operational missions and sustainment. The position contributes to transitioning technical solutions into fieldable operational solutions, works closely with customers and internal teams, and may travel up to 25%. This is an onsite position at the Annapolis Junction, Maryland location. An active, transferable TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required before starting, and U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Typically requires a STEM degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least 7 years of experience.
Experience in strategic, operational/tactical, and contingency planning supporting CONOP generation and refinement and transition from concept to mission operation.
Experience in operational cyber, cyber intelligence, or related mission spaces.
Deep knowledge of adversary tradecraft, tactics, techniques, and procedures, and the use of cyber operations as a tool of statecraft.
Working command of hardware/software infrastructure and custom automation scripting using BASH, Perl, or Python.
Experience developing and writing requirements, plans, and procedures based on customer discussions, briefings, interactions, and statements of work.
Experience with bid and proposal activities related to system development.
Experience recognizing areas for improvement or customer needs and communicating potential business development opportunities to senior staff.
Experience working with development teams to resolve discrepancies and issues.
Experience identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems throughout the system lifecycle.
Experience with systems integration and test design, planning, and execution.
Experience leading design and development teams.
Active and transferable U.S. government TS/SCI clearance with polygraph required before start; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a STEM concentration and 10 years of experience.
Experience with design, development, integration, and test of complex systems.
Experience with telecommunications standards and processing techniques.
Direct experience designing, deploying, and sustaining enterprise telecommunications networks, particularly metro-area and long-haul networks.
Strong verbal and written communication skills across organizational levels, including preparing and delivering audience-appropriate presentations and summaries.
Experience developing system-level designs and high-level control and data interfaces.
Experience with cybersecurity concepts such as red/blue teaming, defense-in-depth, or network penetration.
Experience reverse engineering software or hardware.
Experience with design, development, integration, and test of complex communications systems.
Experience developing proof-of-concept use-case scenarios for novel cybersecurity systems.
Experience creating proof-of-concept use-case scenarios and prototypes from initial ideas.
Existing TS/SCI with polygraph obtained within the last 24 months.

Responsibilities

Advance research, innovation, and technical delivery in cyber intelligence for defensive cyber operations, secure weapons systems, and adversarial threat analysis.
Provide hands-on technical expertise or engineering oversight in adversary emulation, threat hunting, cyber analytics, malware analysis, or reverse engineering.
Guide sponsors in building next-generation Threat Intelligence Platforms and target development.
Lead architecture, end-to-end systems integration, and optimization of complex packet-based hardware and software platforms supporting CNO and SIGINT mission outcomes.
Architect, modernize, and optimize mission systems using COTS/GOTS; drive automation to improve system reliability and provide troubleshooting for lifecycle sustainment.
Generate, analyze, and mature CONOP designs for operational missions, mission support, and sustainment.
Contribute to transitioning technical solutions into fieldable and operational solutions.
Prepare briefings and present material to team members, customers, and AST management.
Engage with customers to define solutions and project scope, and serve as the customer liaison within the company.
Collaborate with project managers and other engineering professionals.
Travel up to 25%.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
401(k) plan with employer matching and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
Tuition reimbursement and a Student Loan Repayment Program.
Life insurance and disability coverage.
Optional pet, home and auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, group legal, and identity theft protection coverages.
Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
Fertility and family-planning support.
Adoption assistance and an autism benefit.
Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
Wellness rewards and virtual doctor visits.
Child and elder care services and a second-opinion medical expert program.
Relocation eligibility.
Potential annual short- or long-term incentive compensation, depending on position level and other factors.
Paid time off and holidays; flexible work schedules may be available.