Cyber Capability Research Engineer

The Cyber Capability Research Engineer role at RTX involves advanced software development in C, focusing on cybersecurity and system architecture. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and an active DoD secret clearance. The position offers a competitive salary range and opportunities for professional growth in a hybrid work environment. The Cyber Capability Research Engineer will perform advanced software development, focusing on C programming and system architecture. The role requires a strong technical background in cybersecurity and the ability to lead technical projects. Candidates must have an active DoD secret clearance and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Date Posted:

2026-02-02

Country:

United States of America:

Location:

US-MA-CAMBRIDGE-BBN06 ~ 10 & 50 Moulton St ~ MOULTON B6

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

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:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

This position requires an Active DoD secret clearance

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 thought leader in these areas for DoD and IC capabilities; you are a strong writer, communicator, and strategic thinker; 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:

What You Will Do

• Perform advanced software development in C, with an emphasis on low-level operations.
• Architect software and systems across a variety of architectures and operating systems.
• Analyze systems to understand how they work and what happens when they break.
• Develop unique networking protocols and communication schemes.
• Operationalize our code by thoroughly testing, documenting, and integrating with sponsor systems.
• Travel up to 15%

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree with a minimum 3 years of experience.
• Minimum 2 years of C Programming experience.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. Government Security Clearance is required on day one.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Programming Skills in C++, Rust, Java, Python, or other languages.
• Experience with system architecture design, prototyping, and technical project leadership.
• Experience with assembly language (x86/64, ARM, PPC, MIPS, etc.).
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire-level protocols, RF communications, BGP, etc.).
• OS kernel development experience (e.g., Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android).
• Reverse engineering skills using tools such as IDA/Ghidra/Binary Ninja.
• Capture the Flag (CTF) experience.
• Authored papers and proposals.

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, Mass headquartersTo 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 86,800 USD - 165,200 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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• Date Posted:2026-02-02Country:United States of America Location:US-MA-CAMBRIDGE-BBN06 ~ 10 & 50 Moulton St ~ MOULTON B6Position Role Type:HybridU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirem Responsibilities
• The candidate will be responsible for performing advanced software development in C, emphasizing low-level operations.
• The candidate will architect software and systems across various architectures and operating systems.
• The candidate will analyze systems to understand their functionality and failure points.
• The candidate will develop unique networking protocols and communication schemes.
• The candidate will operationalize code by thoroughly testing, documenting, and integrating with sponsor systems. Skills
• C Programming
• C++ - Rust
• Java
• Python
• System Architecture Design
• Technical Project Leadership
• Network Protocols
• Reverse Engineering
• Assembly Language
• Capture the Flag (CTF) - Communication Skills Education
• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics is required.