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Strike Initiatives Senior Systems Engineer, Flight Test Director

Raytheon • Tucson, Arizona, United States

hybridfull-time

Salary: $86,800 - $165,200 / year

Posted Mar 13, 2026

Role & seniority: Flight Test Director (senior leadership) for ASDS; on-site in Tucson, AZ

Stack/tools: flight test planning and execution; test plans, schedules, resource management; risk assessments; test reviews; data analysis and reporting; safety protocols; coordination with customers and test ranges

Top 3 responsibilities

  1. Lead planning, execution, and management of the flight test program; develop plans and schedules; ensure milestones

  2. Conduct risk assessments, ensure regulatory/compliance adherence, and maintain safety-focused culture

  3. Analyze test data, prepare reports, provide actionable recommendations; mentor flight test team; coordinate with internal/external stakeholders

Must-have skills

  • BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering, Physics, Math, or related STEM field

  • 5+ years technical/engineering experience in systems hardware/integration/test

  • Experience leading teams to meet program milestones

  • Active, transferable US government-issued security clearance; US citizenship required

Nice-to-haves

  • Off-site integration test leadership

  • Flight test prep, execution, and close-out experience

  • Experience documenting tests (plans, procedures, reports) and interfacing with customers

  • Range safety coordination, flight certification, missile/launch support, or hands-on integration/verification

  • Location & work type: Tucson, Arizona; onsite; travel required for off-site flight testing; US-based role with security cle

Full Description

Date Posted: 2026-03-13 Country: United States of America Location: US-AZ-TUCSON-848 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG 848 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. The Air & Space Defense Systems (ASDS) Strategic Business Unit (SBU) is seeking a highly skilled and driven individual to lead and manage flight test operations for a recently acquired demonstration program. The Flight Test Director will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all aspects of flight test program, ensuring that objectives are met safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory and company standards. As part of a small team, this individual will be integrated with systems test campaigns and vehicle builds which will strengthen the Flight Test Director’s wholistic understanding of the system of systems. What You Will Do Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Lead the planning, execution, and management of the flight test program Develop test plans, schedules, and resource requirements to ensure program milestones are achieved Lead test reviews associated with flight test program including product collection and generation Conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential safety and operational risks during flight testing Coordinate with the customer and test range(s) to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines Analyze test data, prepare test reports, and provide actionable recommendations to stakeholders Ensure adherence to safety protocols and standards, fostering a safety-first culture throughout the flight test program Provide leadership and mentoring to flight test team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment This role is based out of Tucson, Arizona Travel will be required for this role as flight testing will be conducted off-site. Qualifications You Must Have Typically requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Math or other related engineering disciplines (STEM) and a minimum of five (5) years of technical/engineering experience Experience with systems hardware, systems integration, and/or systems test Experience leading multiple individuals through an effort or event to meet crucial program milestones Active and transferable US government-issued security clearance is required prior to start date. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance Qualifications We Prefer Experience leading an off-site integration test event Experience with flight test event preparation, execution, and close out operations Experience with generating technical documentation such as test plans, procedures, or technical reports Experience interfacing with internal and external customers Experience working in an integration lab, test facility, or in the field, supporting integration and/or verification, particularly in terms of supplying hands on support for missile assembly Experience with range safety coordination and flight certification in support of a development program flight test Experience coordinating cross-functionally to drive results Experience with ground launch systems and infrastructure What We Offer Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation. Location: Tucson, AZ 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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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. Privacy Policy and Terms: Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Flight Test OperationsTest PlanningSchedule DevelopmentResource ManagementRisk AssessmentData AnalysisTest ReportingSafety ProtocolsLeadershipMentoringSystems HardwareSystems IntegrationSystems TestRange Safety CoordinationFlight CertificationGround Launch Systemsmulti-location

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