Senior Principal Research Engineer - Advanced Maritime Systems

Date Posted:

2026-07-16

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-RI-MIDDLETOWN-201 ~ 127 John Clarke Rd ~ BBN MIDDLETOWN, Ste 3

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ 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 after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Who We Are

RTX BBN, a noted high-tech research & development company, seeks a creative, organized, people-centered candidate to fill the role of Senior Principal Research Engineer in the Maritime and Advanced Systems Line of Business in RTX BBN’s Physical Sciences and Systems (PS2) business unit. BBN’s Maritime and Advanced Systems groups are leading providers of acoustic sensing solutions, maritime platform design concepts, and undersea communications systems supporting DOD and non-DOD agencies. Our systems of systems provide chain closure, situational awareness, and autonomous system detection and tracking capabilities to enhance our nation’s security. Our multidisciplinary teams include physicists, engineers, and software developers, who collaborate closely with other parts of RTX in areas such as photonics, quantum, communications, networking, AI/ML, and battlespace management.

What You Will Do:

This position is for an experienced professional in Maritime System technologies who excels in the following areas: creates the vision and secures funding for new concepts; leads multiple, multi-million-dollar R&D programs and teams; plans and executes field tests on land or at sea; regularly meets or exceeds the metrics of challenging R&D programs. The ideal candidate will be organized and detail-oriented with the ability to efficiently handle complex technical challenges while helping researchers focus on the technical work to be achieved and the big picture of their efforts.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• A degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years prior relevant experience. Relevant experience includes serving as a principal or technical lead on R&D programs related to physical sciences, sensing, and signal processing.
• Subject Matter Expert in acoustics, signal processing, or related discipline, and fluent in at least one commonly used programming language such as Python, Matlab, C, or C++.
• Experience forming and leading diverse teams of scientists and engineers through full lifecycle of technology development including understanding how to balance the demands of multiple large programs or pursuits and influencing teams to achieve success.
• Ability to confidently present technical information in presentations, journal papers, and reports.
• Track record of repeatedly and successfully leading technical teams from concept to pursuit to award for R&D contracts, including serving as a lead author of winning competitive R&D proposals, follow-on contracts, and work with new customers.
• Willingness to travel to partner, customer and corporate offices.
• 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.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Successful capture of new R&D contracts from US Government customers such as the US Navy, ONR, or DARPA.
• Fluent in multiple commonly used programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C, or C++.
• Known as a technical leader and subject matter expert either regionally or nationally.
• Strong network of R&D contacts across the Federal Government.
• Ability to leverage extensive professional network to form and influence complex teams.

What We Offer: 

• Some of our competitive benefits package includes: 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance