Principal Software Engineer Lead - High Energy Laser (HEL) Beam Director Product Owner

Raytheon is seeking a Principal Software Engineer Lead to own software execution for the High Energy Laser (HEL) Beam Director product in McKinney, TX. In this onsite role, you will guide disciplined development across multiple baselines while serving as a senior technical advisor and product owner for real-time embedded software capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead senior technical execution by delegating and reviewing work from lower-level engineers, with disciplined implementation of major system algorithms covering tracking, alignment, coordinate transformation, sensor line-of-sight, image alignment, and laser-enabled operations.
• Review code and validate algorithm behavior, clearly communicate technical rationale, and influence engineering practices and procedures to maintain steady program execution.
• Provide systems-thinking and architectural support, including development of CONOPS, specification tree structures, and multi-CSCI decomposition to resolve complex, customer-critical issues.
• Work effectively with senior architects and technical fellows to integrate across disciplines while maintaining technical momentum with minimal oversight.
• Apply subject-matter expertise in system-of-systems architecture, inter-CSCI and LRU interfaces, requirement flows, and hardware/software integration to clarify end-to-end sensor and processing capabilities.
• Lead agile execution of software technical scope across program baselines by coordinating planning, prioritizing backlog execution, and aligning with evolving product-line objectives.
• Collaborate with senior systems engineers and cross-functional technical leads to support integration, verification, and delivery across Archerfish, Apache, and MQ-9 simultaneous efforts.
• Perform primarily onsite work in McKinney, TX; applicants must be in the area or willing to relocate to it.

Required Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree and minimum 8 years of prior relevant engineering experience.
• Minimum 5-8 years developing or supporting real-time embedded software for mission-critical systems.
• Experience implementing and validating real-time algorithms and supporting SW/HW integration on embedded platforms.
• Experience communicating and collaborating with teams, translating technical considerations into actionable guidance, and working in rapid-execution, multi-baseline programs.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date, with ability to obtain Special Program Access after start.
• U.S. citizenship is required because only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Technologies

• Real-time embedded software
• EO/IR algorithms
• Real-time algorithms
• SW/HW integration
• Agile processes
• Scrum
• Continuous Integration
• Automated testing methods

Preferred Qualifications

• Active and transferable Top Secret clearance with Special Program Access.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to guide technical development, mentor engineers, and lead software teams through complex lifecycle activities.
• Experience in rapid-execution, multi-baseline programs.
• Experience with EO/IR or sensor-based targeting systems.
• Familiarity with agile processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and automated testing methods.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence aided development.
• Experience coordinating across multiple product lines or quick-reaction capability programs.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, such as mentoring junior engineers, coordinating technical initiatives, facilitating team collaboration, driving engineering best practices, and/or guiding peers toward successful delivery.

Compensation and Work Model

• Location: McKinney, TX, United States (onsite)
• Salary: USD 107,500 - 204,500 per year

Benefits

• Relocation offered based on eligibility
• 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 (not guaranteed)

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.

Onsite and Interview Process Notes

• Onsite roles primarily work onsite.
• Candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in person at one of the company office locations as part of a secure hiring process.

Raytheon’s values include Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.