Principal Mechanical Engineer - Thermal Engineer

Date Posted:

2026-10-15

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-805 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG 805

 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:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

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.

Raytheon brings 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. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

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.

Job Summary

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 complimented and validated by tests executed in a manner to ensure cost effective yet technically balanced solutions.

Raytheon is seeking an experienced Principal Thermal Engineer to join the MA&T Department. The Thermal Engineer is responsible for detailed thermal analysis on products throughout their lifecycle from initial design trade studies and proposals through qualification testing to enduring production support. 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 analyses to detailed analyses requiring the use of finite element analysis software. A Thermal Engineer of this salary grade is expected to have a level of technical competence with thermodynamic principles. The Thermal Engineer will be held accountable for completing his/her work within the agreed upon cost and schedule. Additionally, the selected candidate will be expected to present their work for peer reviews and to be a peer reviewer for other engineers’ work. Finally, the engineer is expected to plan and support tests, perform data reduction and engage in thermal model correlation.

What You Will Do

Perform Hand Calculations to determine scope of higher detail analysis models

Perform detailed thermal analyses to solve various program thermal challenges

Generate test plans required to validate analyses and verify hardware compliance to customer requirements

Analyze test data to validate and correlate models

Work with experienced analysts on problems of moderate complexity to provide the answers needed under program cost and schedule constraints

Review your work with peers to ensure technical accuracy

Present results to internal, external, and government customers

Generate detailed documentation of work and archive for reference

Act as a technical leader (help define/refine and/or develop MA&T department technical processes and tools) and/or lead analysis/test teams

Qualifications You Must Have

Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience; An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for additional years of experience as follows: Master’s is equal to 2 years of experience or a Ph.D. is equal to 5 years of experience

Experience in thermal analysis with any of the following tools: FloTHERM, PATRAN, Thermal Desktop/SINDA or ANSYS or equivalent

Experience in mechanical principles to solve classical thermal analysis solutions both inside and outside of finite element tools and an ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

Demonstrated experience in thermal testing: Planning, organization, execution, data reduction and correlation

Demonstrated experience in leading a team of thermal analysts on major program efforts

Ability to obtain a U.S. government issued security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance, Clearance must be active and transferable prior to start date

Qualifications We Prefer

Degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering

10+ years of professional experience in the thermal analysis of complex systems that require collaboration of multiple engineering disciplines

Experience with solid modeling CAD tool such as CREO or equivalent

Experience in Electronics Cooling and Aerodynamic Heating Analyses

Demonstrated experience in leading thermal testing: Planning, organization, execution, data reduction and correlation

Earned Value Management System knowledge

Experience in supporting EACs, BOEs and proposals

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

What We Offer

Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the superior benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance, and child/adult backup care.

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

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.

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

Remote: Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home). If you live within a reasonable commute of an RTX site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

Requires advanced to expert knowledge of work area typically obtained through advanced education combined with experience.

May have broad knowledge of project management. Requires subs