Principal Thermal Engineer

About the Role

Raytheon is seeking an experienced Senior Principal Thermal Engineer to join the Mechanical Analysis and Test (MA&T) Department. The Thermal Engineer is responsible for detailed thermal analysis of products throughout their lifecycle, from initial design trade studies and proposals through qualification testing and enduring production support. The role focuses on solving complex thermal challenges using both hand analyses and finite element methods, leading a team of analysts, and providing technical guidance to cross‑functional teams.

The position is onsite in El Segundo, CA and requires U.S. citizenship and a TS/SCI security clearance.

• Perform hand calculations to determine scope of higher‑detail analysis models.
• Conduct detailed thermal analyses to solve program thermal challenges.
• Generate test plans to validate analyses and verify hardware compliance with customer requirements.
• Analyze test data to validate and correlate models.
• Support all program phases, including development and production, with expert thermal analysis.
• Define analysis scope and level required to meet objectives under cost and schedule constraints.
• Lead a large team of experienced analysts on high‑complexity problems.
• Review work with peers and serve as subject‑matter expert in peer reviews.
• Present results to internal, external, and government customers.
• Collaborate with customers and engineering leadership to define testing required to validate analyses.
• Document work in detail and archive for reference.
• Act as a technical leader, refining MA&T department processes and tools, and leading analysis/test teams.
• Travel to government and other facilities to support program activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience (advanced degree may substitute additional years).
• Experience in thermal analysis with ANSYS, FloTHERM, PATRAN, Thermal Desktop/SINDA or equivalent.
• Experience with thermal analysis of electro‑optical sensor systems.
• Ability to perform classical thermal analysis and manage multiple priorities independently.
• Demonstrated experience in thermal testing (planning, execution, data reduction, and correlation).
• Experience leading a large team (>6) of thermal analysts.
• Broad knowledge of space vehicle payload thermal architectures and influence on early design.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Onsite work requirement in a secured environment in El Segundo, CA.

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 12+ years of professional thermal analysis experience on complex systems.
• Experience in planning, executing, and correlating thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
• Experience with orbital thermal analysis using Thermal Desktop or equivalent.
• Experience with solid modeling CAD tools such as CREO.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management System.
• Experience supporting Enterprise Analysis and Conceptual (EACs), Business Opportunity Evaluations (BOEs), and proposals.
• Experience presenting to external customers.
• Ability to travel to government and other facilities.
• ABET accreditation preferred for advanced degrees.

Competitive salary range: $118,300–$224,900 USD. The package includes healthcare, wellness, retirement & work/life benefits; career development; recognition programs; parental leave; flexible schedules; educational assistance; and child/adult backup care.

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, veteran status, or any other applicable protected class. RTX provides affirmative action and complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.