Principal Engineer Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Principal Engineer jobs in Tucson are concentrated in the Rincon Research Park corridor, the University of Arizona Tech Park in Midvale Heights, and the northwest aerospace and defense cluster near Marana. Defense contractors, research institutions, and semiconductor firms represented by Raytheon, Rocket Lab USA, and Rocket Lab are actively hiring. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Date Posted:
2026-10-30Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-AZ-TUCSON-801 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG 801 (External Site)Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.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 clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: SecretSecurity Clearance Status:
Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
Job Description
At RTX, the world 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.
Software Security Sensors and Effectors (S3E) Department is looking to hire a Senior Software Security Engineer in Tucson, AZ.
- Raytheon Tucson, AZ Location
- Our Culture | RTX Careers
What You Will Do:
Our mission is to provide world class Security Software to be used in deployed missile systems.
- This position requires understanding of real-time software design and the performance implications associated with specific System Security implementations.
- Involve with application and embedded software design, development, integration, and testing of real-time missile software.
- Apply System Security principles to the design and implementation of Missile software applications.
- Develop software applications using C and C++ languages on a variety of computing platforms
- Understand real-time software design and the performance implications associated with specific System Security implementations.
- Able to understand how position's efforts affect the “big picture” of the missile system and be able to develop or review detail solutions at the source code level.
- Work closely with the Systems Security Engineering team to define and implement requirements.
- Work in a common development environment to support and facilitate program ability to leverage specific capabilities.
- Interface with customer community to review technical design and support verification of system maturity.
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) AND a minimum of 8 years of relevant software experience
- Experience with C / C++
- Experience with Xilinx UltaScale+ MPSoC, Versal, or similar Embedded Processors
- Experience with embedded OS like VxWorks, Embedded Linux, or similar
- The ability to obtain and maintain an Interim Secret Level U.S. security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain program access after start . U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Embedded Software Security experience
- Experience/Knowledge of any of the following:
- Linux/Unix environment
- Interfacing with FPGAs
- Interfacing with low-level memory drivers
- Inter-processor communication
- ARM Architecture
- Secure boot concepts
- Cryptographic Algorithms
- Experience designing, implementing, testing, or fielding real-time security-oriented solutions on Department of Defense (DoD) programs (embedded experience highly preferred)
- Experience using security-relevant tools and devices for security auditing, network security, host/server security, communication security, or policy management.
- Experience in Agile and DevSecOps environments
- Experience in an Agile/Scrum/Kanban frameworks and development environments
- Experience using software configuration management and bug tracking tools
- Experience with Python / Perl
- Knowledge of modern computer architectures and hardware technologies including:
- PCIe, GPIO, I2C, SATA
- Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
- Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)
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 with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs.
- Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.
- “Tucson is Awesome”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i65wOwKcNIQ
- “Winter in Tucson”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZdKKkF0QkE
Learn More & Apply Now!
- 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.
- This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm
Location Information: This position is onsite at our campus in beautiful Tucson, AZ. Tucson has a friendly, caring, and laid-back atmosphere, combined with the innovation and energy of a metropolitan region, and recognized as one of America’s 10 Best Small Cities. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, colorful Sonoran Desert landscape and majestic saguaro cacti, Tucson is blessed with some of nature’s best work. Tucson is known for its bright blue skies, and with more than 310 sunny days per year, Tucson’s fantastic weather lets residents enjoy the outdoors year-round.
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.
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.
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Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Job Market in Tucson
Who's Hiring
- Raytheon101

- Rocket Lab USA9

- Rocket Lab2

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Principal Engineer Jobs in Tucson: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a principal engineer job in Tucson?
Focus your search on the defense, aerospace, and semiconductor sectors that anchor Tucson's engineering market, particularly employers clustered around Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the University of Arizona Research Park, and Marana's industrial corridor. Hands-on systems integration experience and familiarity with government contracting environments give candidates a clear edge locally. Networking through the Southern Arizona chapter of engineering professional associations also opens doors that online applications alone often miss.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Tucson?
Companies currently hiring principal engineers in Tucson include Raytheon, Rocket Lab USA, and Rocket Lab, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tucson's employer mix skews heavily toward defense primes, federal contractors, and research-driven technology firms with long-term government programs.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Tucson?
Yes, though remote availability depends on the role type, since hands-on systems, hardware, and classified defense work almost always requires on-site presence in Tucson. About 0% of principal engineer openings tied to Tucson are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, skewing toward software architecture and platform engineering roles. Research-focused positions at University of Arizona-affiliated firms tend to offer the most flexible hybrid arrangements locally.
How can I get a principal engineer job in Tucson with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Tucson is through the defense and aerospace pipeline, where Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and similar contractors run structured early-career engineering programs that progress toward principal-level roles over time. Starting as a senior engineer on a government program, contributing to a defined system or subsystem, and earning relevant security clearances builds the exact profile Tucson employers look for. University of Arizona research labs also offer a bridge from academic work to industry principal roles.
Which industries hire the most principal engineers in Tucson?
Most principal engineer openings in Tucson sit in Manufacturing, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tucson's status as a hub for defense electronics, optical systems research, and semiconductor manufacturing makes those sectors the dominant employers of senior engineering talent in the city.
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