Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software EngineerThe mission: Do you want to build software that solves the world's most complex national security problems? At STR, we don't just write code; we bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world mission success. You will join a multidisciplinary powerhouse of software engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and data scientists dedicated to taking innovative ideas from a whiteboard concept to a mature, deployed implementation. The technical frontier as part of the knowledge exploitation & decisions systems group, you will work at the intersection of AI and human decision-making. Our portfolio is diverse and high-impact, including command & control (C2) via intuitive human-machine interfaces that help operators make the best possible decisions in high-pressure environments, trusted AI & autonomy via simulation platforms to test AI autonomy and evaluating the reliability and responsibility of autonomous systems, and advanced reasoning via graph-based reasoning and evolutionary algorithms for resilient workflow optimization, and enhancing language models to assess the feasibility of scientific claims.What you'll do:Architect & lead: Define the technical vision and architectural roadmap for flexible microservices within a robust devsecops ecosystem.Steer deployment: Lead the critical transition of mature mission planning solutions from R&D prototypes into production-grade systems deployed within active user communities.Bridge the gap: Act as the primary technical liaison between PhD scientists and the engineering team, translating complex mathematical models into scalable, maintainable software architectures.Mentor & elevate: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of code excellence, rigorous peer review, and continuous learning.Drive strategy: Beyond a single project, you will help shape the technical direction of the portfolio, identifying new technologies and methodologies to keep STR at the cutting edge.Who you are:Education: BS or MS in computer science or a related technical field.Experience:With a BS: 6+ years of professional software engineering experience.With an MS: 3+ years of professional software engineering experience.Architectural mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Java and the Spring ecosystem, with a deep mastery of design patterns, distributed systems, and the ability to design for scalability and resilience.Leadership provenance: A track record of leading technical projects, mentoring other engineers, and making high-stakes architectural decisions that stand the test of time.Strategic mindset: You are a "trailblazer" who can navigate extreme ambiguity, define requirements where none exist, and lead a team through the uncertainty of R&D.Our tech stack:Primary: Java 17+, Spring BootInfrastructure: Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Kafka/NATS, GitLabSecondary: Python (for AI/Data integration)Logistics:Location: Hybrid at one of STR's offices in Woburn, MA, Arlington, VA, Carlsbad, CA or Aurora, COTravel: Periodic travel (up to 20%).Clearance: U.S. citizenship required with the ability to obtain a top secret clearance.Why STR? STR is a growing defense technology company. 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!