Principal SW Engineer - SW Technical Lead - F18 Gen 4 Radar
Job Description
Date Posted:
2026-09-10


Country:
United States of America


Location:
US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-R01 ~ 2000 E Imperial Hwy ~ BLDG R01


Position Role Type:
Onsite


U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. 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 on day 1
At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring 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. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.
Raytheon Space and Air division in El Segundo, CA is seeking a
Principal Software Engineer [Embedded / Radar]
to be part of their product development teams for the Gen4 Tactical Airborne Radar group, and take on the role of Technical Software Lead in the F18 Program area.
Visit Raytheon Landing Page: Raytheon El Segundo, CA Location
What you will do:
The Gen 4 Airborne Radar Department mission is to provide world class Software for our customers’ wide array of RF products for airborne radar applications. Our software capabilities include software requirement development, design, modeling/simulation, real-time embedded, signal processing and data processing, infrastructure software, software testing, integration, and verification. Gen 4 Airborne Radar SW team in El Segundo CA is looking to add a Software Engineer to their F-18 development team.
As a
Technical Lead for the F/A-18 Software Team,
deliverables include:
Provide technical guidance to the software team and serve as the liaison between the software team, other engineering counterparts, program leadership, and the customer
Hold the team accountable and drive progress to meet deadlines and technical milestones
Design, develop, and test software based on software trouble reports in an agile/waterfall, collaborative environment, delivering builds for the APG-79 radar. Support system integration of software on hardware
Consult on Development and Production software development for our F/A-18 roadmap activities
Demonstrate critical thinking skills, the ability to thrive in small, empowered teams, and an intense desire to directly enable our customers’ success
Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize existing code for performance and efficiency in complex environments
Write and maintain comprehensive documentation for software applications, including system architecture and design specifications
Work collaboratively with multiple engineering disciplines to analyze, implement, and test system modification requests to the existing system baseline.
Work Location: Onsite at our El Segundo, CA Campus
Must be able to obtain "special access programs" (SAP/SAR) for continuation of employment.
Qualifications you must have:
Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant software development experience.
Experience serving as a Software REA and/or Software Technical Lead for software, with experience interfacing with customers.
Experience with DevSecOps Software methodologies
Development experience coding in C, C++, ADA or related languages/tools across phases of Software Development Life Cycle
Experience working on UNIX, Linux, Windows, VxWorks, Green Hills or other Real Time Operating Systems.
Active and transferable U.S. Government issued 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.
Qualifications We Prefer:
Current Top Secret Clearance
Development experience in Ground or Airborne Sensors (Radars, EO/IR, EW, etc.)
Experience designing & implementing radar modes & algorithms, signal processing, target detection, and tracking
Experience with Networks (software and hardware)
Experience developing near-real-time, embedded SW
Experience with git
Experience with embedded or low-level software development, including OS-adjacent or hardware-interfacing work.
Experience with CI/CD tools and infrastructure such as Jenkins, Subversion, or similar.
Familiarity with Agile lifecycle process including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and Test-Driven Development Methodologies
Experience developing embedded software for sensors, algorithm development, signal or data processing preferred.
Experience with DoD & related System/SW Architectures and messaging standards (e.g. OMS, SOSA, Link-16, etc)
Experience with production-level SW development & deployment, including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) using modern FOSS/COTS toolsets.
Experience with full lifecycle SW development of high-TRL systems.
What We Offer:
A total rewards package that goes above and beyond 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.
Relocation Eligible – Relocation assistance available
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.
This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA , 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
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 118,300 USD - 224,900 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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