Principal Cyber Research Scientist

Date Posted:

2026-04-27

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-MD-COLUMBIA-720 ~ 9861 Broken Land Pkwy ~ BBN COLUMBIA, Ste 400

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: TS/SCI

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

RTX Corporation 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 Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 185,000 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, VA.

For over 70 years, RTX BBN Technologies (BBN) has solved challenging problems through research, exploration, development, and prototyping. BBN’s Network & Cyber Technologies (NCT) team leverages computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, and physics to tackle customer challenges in electromagnetic warfare (EW), communications, cybersecurity, cyberspace operations, networking, and RF domains for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. BBN is looking for an excellent forward-thinking candidate to drive our strategic growth and innovation in these areas specifically at the integration points for EW-enabled cyber and cyber-enabled EW; integrated battlespace applications; resilient cyber-physical systems and software; and the intersection of quantum, cyber, and RF. You are the ideal candidate if you are a recognized researcher with strong skills in these areas for DoD and IC capabilities; you are a strong writer and communicator; you can identify and forge connections between stakeholder opportunities and our technical teams’ capabilities; you have a strong technical background in these areas; and you desire an opportunity to pursue and execute on external funding from government research agencies (e.g. DARPA, IARPA, DoD Service Labs, IC research and development organizations) to help further U.S. National Security Objectives.

What you will do:

• Research, develop and implement innovative techniques for offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities
• Conduct rapid prototyping of software solutions
• Apply software engineering practices to integrate research outputs into operational tools and systems
• Lead cross-functional teams to solve challenging problems and deliver actionable results
• Participate in laboratory and field tests to collect and analyze data, test new capabilities, and perform demonstrations
• Support proposal writing and processes through the shaping of win themes, innovations, operational impact, and focus on customers’ most pressing uses cases
• Overnight travel required for certain projects

What you will gain:

• A strong leadership team well-versed in government R&D
• A collaborative and collegial environment to push state-of-the-art research
• A technically competent pool of research scientists who are willing to mentor, listen, and help you refine our vision and strategy
• Business development, programmatic, contracting, finance, and HR support
• Access, through RTX, to opportunities that help transition capabilities and ultimately see it fielded

Qualifications You Must Have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related major and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years’ experience

• Experience writing and reviewing classified government research funding proposals in relevant areas
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in relevant technology topics
• Strong proficiency in Python and C/C++
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply complex technical concepts
• Capacity to develop novel concepts that address challenging technical problems of concern to RTX BBN Technology’s customers
• Takes proactive action to anticipate, understand, and meet customer needs
• Ability to obtain a TS//SCI security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience synchronizing and coordinating highly technical, R&D teams.

• Experience with research and development of Cyber/EW capabilities
• Experience monitoring cross-disciplinary, multi-portfolio projects in relevant technology areas
• Active TS//SCI security clearance

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.

• Relocation Assistance available
• This position is Onsite at our Cambridge, MA or Columbia, MD or Arlington, VA offices

To help you achieve your goals, BBN will provide:

• A strong leadership team well-versed in government R&D.
• A collaborative and collegial environment to push state-of-the-art research.
• Technically competent pool of research scientists who are willing to mentor, listen, and help you refine your research vision and goals.
• Business development, programmatic, contracting, finance, and HR support.
• Access, through RTX, to opportunities that help transition your research and ultimately see it fielded.

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 118,300 USD - 224,900 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.

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