Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer - Structural, High Temp Materials

Company: Raytheon
Location: Tucson
Posted on: June 15, 2026

Job Description:

Date Posted:

2026-03-30 Country:

United States of America Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON- E Hermans Rd MULTI PURPOSE FAC 928 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:

Secret - Current 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 Mechanical Analysis and Test (MA&T) Department is responsible for ensuring structural and thermal design robustness across the Raytheon portfolio of products. From preliminary concepts to fielded weapon system support, MA&T delivers innovative structural and thermal engineering solutions utilizing methods ranging from classical fundamental & empirically based techniques to state-of-the-art finite element methods leveraging industry leading commercial tools; all complemented and validated by tests executed in a manner to ensure cost effective yet technically balanced solutions.

Raytheon is seeking an experienced Senior Principal Structural Engineer to join the Mechanical Analysis and Test Department with a background in high temperature structural materials such as refractory metals, Ceramics, and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC's). In this role, you will be responsible for detailed structural analysis and testing to support all phases of programs including development and production. The analyses will cover a wide range of difficult problems, requiring solutions that are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organization objectives. The analysis tasks will span the spectrum from classical hand calculations to detailed analyses requiring the use of finite element analysis software. Testing will range from the coupon and sub-element level for material characterization to subsystem and system level design verification testing. A structural analyst of this salary grade is expected to have a high degree of technical competence and be a recognized technical leader.

The selected candidate will be able to work under general direction and is expected to define the scope and level of analysis/test required to meet objectives. You will act as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) to help define and develop the MA&T department technical processes and tools. You will also be held accountable for your individual work within the agreed upon cost and schedule. It is expected that you will present your work for peer reviews and be a peer reviewer for other engineers' work. The customers of this position will include internal personnel and programs as well as external Government(s) personnel and programs.

What You Will Do:

• Perform detailed structural analysis and testing to support all phases of programs
• Conduct data collection from available sources for material characteristics, and design and recommend tests to address gaps in material understanding
• Generate test plans required to validate analyses and verify hardware compliance to customer requirements
• Analyze test data to validate and correlate models, and/or generate mechanical loads and environments
• Work with limited oversight on complex problems to provide the answers needed under program cost and schedule constraints
• Coordinate and lead technical peer reviews ensuring the technical accuracy of work product as well as acting as a reviewer for others work products
• Present results to internal stakeholders and external customers
• Generate detailed, archival technical reports
• Travel to test sites to support test or design discussion (depending on work assignment)
• Act as a technical leader (help define and develop MA&T department technical processes and tools) and lead teams to meet program milestones
• Contribute to technical discussions and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills working in a team environment

The Senior Pr. Mechanical Engineer - Structural job is in Tucson, AZ and the position is onsite.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years experience
• Experience in structural analysis (i.e. PATRAN, NASTRAN, ANSYS or equivalent software (Dynamic, Static, Non-linear, Transient, etc.)
• Experience in CMH-17 guidelines
• Experience in high temperature material systems for hypersonic aerospace

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience in industry standard structural analysis
• Understanding of mechanical principles to solve classical structural analysis both inside and outside finite element tools.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, team-based environment and independently.
• Experience contributing to technical discussions and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills working in a team environment.
• 15+ years of professional experience in the structural analysis of complex systems that require collaboration of multiple engineering disciplines (such as a weapon system).
• Experience in structural testing: planning, organization, execution, data reduction and correlation.
• Experience designing/analyzing mechanical joints for composite material in high temperature environments.
• Experience using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) software and practices.
• Experience using fracture modeling techniques for composite materials (VCCT, CZM).
• Experience with test planning to evaluate structures designed for high temperature environments.
• Experience with environmental barrier coatings applied to CMCs.
• Experience with dynamic shock and vibration analysis.
• Experience with solid modeling CAD tool such as CREO or equivalent.
• Experience with MATLAB.
• Experience presenting to external customers.
• Ability to travel to government and other facilities in support of program activities.
• Advanced degree in aforementioned disciplines. ABET is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.
• H igh temp materials experience for hypersonics as well as Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) experience and knowledge.

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.

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.

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 132,400 USD - 251,600 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 . click apply for full job details

Keywords: Raytheon, Drexel Heights , Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer - Structural, High Temp Materials, Engineering , Tucson, Arizona

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