Lead System Engineer

About the Team:

STR's Analytics & C2 (AC2) Division develops novel technologies to solve challenging national security problems through advanced analytics. Our team consists of passionate and motivated individuals with degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, and data science. We use our expertise and creativity to develop and mature innovative ideas from conception to improve mission success of our customers.

The Collaborative Autonomy and Control (CAC) Group in the AC2 Division works to build software systems that solve critical problems in the areas of uncrewed system autonomy, multi-agent collaboration, resource management, and control. By leveraging expertise in machine learning, algorithms, model-predictive control, and software development we build tools that support tactical mission planning and execution, autonomous reasoning, and more.

The Role:

As a Lead System Engineer, you will work as part of a tightly knit team to design, develop, implement, integrate, test, and demonstrate advanced algorithms and software systems for autonomous platforms. You will provide technical leadership and mentoring on programs working throughout the software and system development lifecycle, from early prototypes to integrated systems. Your work will develop a diverse set of software tools and applications for mission planning systems, automated control processes, unmanned platforms, DevSecOps, and CI/CD pipelines. This position is based in Woburn, MA, or Arlington, VA, and will take advantage of STR's flexible, hybrid environment - when the work does not require use of STR's facilities, you are welcome to work remotely.


Who You Are:

• Ability to obtain a security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government.
• BS in Computer Science or related technical field with 7+ years' experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5+ years experience with C++ or Java
• Proven understanding of data structures, algorithms, concurrency, and code optimization
• Proven ability to lead and manage moderate size engineering teams (5-10 engineers) through complete Agile development lifecycle including task definition, delegation, and maintenance
• Demonstrated success driving industry best practices in areas such as code review, unit testing, test coverage, static analysis, etc., to ensure mature, high quality software products
• Experience in leading system/software architecture design
• Comfortable working both with internal leadership and external customers in the development and execution of software product plans
• Experience utilizing the following:
  • Object-Oriented Programming principles
  • Agile software lifecycle methodologies and tools, such as JIRA and Sonarqube
  • Test-driven development methodologies

• A demonstrated ability to adopt new languages, libraries, and technologies
• Proven ability to develop, implement, integrate, and test autonomy algorithms and software

Even Better:

• MS or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field
• Experience with the following:
  • Collection Orchestration
  • Satellite Constellation Management
  • Coordinating Electronic Warfare resources
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Agentic AI
  • TCPED Management for Tactical ISR
  • Programming for embedded and physical devices
  • Multi-agent coordination of UxVs
  • MAVLINK or other C2 protocols
  • Unreal Engine modeling
  • ROS
  • TAK
  • DevSecOps and CI/CD tool chains
  • Integration of complex software systems
  • Constraint satisfaction algorithms
  • Knowledge representation/ontologies
  • Python
• Active Security Clearance

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $157,000 - $224,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at for more info.

STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at View email address on click.appcast.io and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.