Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Flight Execution Lead

RTX•Tucson, AZ

1d•$132,400 - $251,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Processing, Guidance, and Control center is currently hiring for a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Flight Execution Lead position in Tucson, AZ to support the execution of the portfolio of current and upcoming missile programs. The Flight Execution Lead will provide technical leadership for a strategically important software upgrade that enhances the company’s long‑term competitiveness and strengthens future program pursuits. This role oversees a cross‑functional team of 25–30 engineers spanning Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), Flight Sciences, Operational Analysis (OA), Simulation, Performance, and Mission Planning software—disciplines that collectively define system flight behavior and mission execution. Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Flight Execution Lead is responsible for unifying technical decisions across these areas, managing system‑level risk, and ensuring all elements of flight behavior remain synchronized with program objectives and customer requirements. This position guides the development of advanced flight algorithms, integrated simulation environments, and mission‑level logic essential to delivering the next generation capability. This role also includes Cost Account Management responsibilities, ensuring financial execution aligns with program scope, schedule, and technical commitments.

Requirements

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related STEM degree and a minimum of 10 years prior relevant experience
Experience with fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, or applied aerodynamics
Experience with High‑Performance Computing workflows, distributed architectures, or cloud‑based compute environments
Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret U.S. government‑issued Security Clearance prior to start, with ability to obtain special program access after start.
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a STEM discipline
Computational fluid dynamics and aerodynamic design experience across varied aerodynamic regimes (subsonic through hypersonic and non‑continuum)
Experience with CFD++
Strong communication skills for coordinating technical decisions across diverse engineering specialties
Experience with Cadence Pointwise
Experience with Tecplot, FieldView, or ParaView
Experience with basic shell scripting or programming with Python
Experience leading cross‑disciplinary engineering teams (GNC, OA, Simulation, Performance, Mission Planning)
Experience with development, integration, or verification of flight algorithms or mission‑level logic
Familiarity with system‑level modeling, digital twin environments, or high‑fidelity simulation architecture
Experience with system engineering practices including requirements development, interface control, and verification/validation
Experience managing technical risk across large, multi‑disciplinary teams
Background in Agile or iterative software development processes
Understanding of mission analysis, weapons effectiveness, or operational scenario modeling
Experience with Cost Account Management (EVMS, planning, tracking, and reporting control account performance)

Responsibilities

Provide unified leadership across all flight execution disciplines
Ensure system‑level coordination across GNC, OA, Simulation, Performance, and Mission Planning
Drive development of advanced flight algorithms and mission‑level system behaviors
Maintain integrated simulation environments aligned with customer expectations
Manage cross‑disciplinary dependencies affecting flight dynamics and mission effectiveness
Keep engineering efforts aligned to aggressive, customer‑driven schedules
Perform Cost Account Management duties, including planning, tracking, and reporting cost and schedule performance for assigned control accounts