Senior Mechanical Engineering- System Design

The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. We apply those products to to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-ISR applications to deliver missions success to our customers.
We are seeking a Senior Mechanical / Ocean Engineer to develop technical solutions for complex, distributed uncrewed undersea systems—including vehicles, buoys, and ocean bottom nodes. In this role, you will work with high‑level guidance from a Principal Investigator or Chief Engineer, but own the detailed engineering: turning concepts into designs, prototypes, and fielded systems through analysis, fabrication, integration, and testing.
You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, acoustics, software, systems) to realize novel system concepts for ISR and C‑ISR missions. Develop mechanical and ocean engineering solutions for distributed uncrewed undersea systems, from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, and test
Lead technical tasks within small, multi‑disciplinary teams, coordinating closely with electrical, acoustics, embedded systems, and power engineers to balance complex system‑level tradeoffs
Design and analyze key undersea structures and subsystems , including:
Pressure vessels and housings for deep‑water operation
Thermal management and power system packaging
Model, analyze, and simulate electro‑mechanical, fluid, and thermal systems using custom or commercial tools (e.g., FEA, CFD, thermal analysis) to inform design decisions and predict performance
Contribute to the design and implementation of undersea acoustic hardware prototypes , ensuring mechanical designs support acoustic performance, reliability, and manufacturability
Work with teammates to model and simulate advanced undersea acoustic systems across scales—from individual sensor physics to system‑level and theater‑level behavior—providing mechanical and ocean engineering insight
Perform peer reviews and suggest next steps for ongoing research and development activities, helping shape follow‑on tasks and programs
Support the development of best practices and capabilities for designing, producing, integrating, and testing distributed uncrewed undersea systems; Contribute to technical communications (reports, briefings, proposals, and presentations) that summarize your designs, analyses, test results, and recommendations for customers, sponsors, and internal stakeholders
BS with at least 5 years of relevant experience, MS with at least 3 years of relevant experience, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Experience developing mechanical/ocean engineering solutions for advanced research and development projects, preferably in undersea or harsh‑environment systems
Pressure vessels and deep‑water structures
Hydrodynamics and stability of undersea vehicles and platforms
Transducers, actuators, and their mechanical integration

Hands‑on experience progressing from concepts to fielded systems, supported by:
Prototyping and fabrication
Lab, pool, and/or at‑sea testing
Ability to work with high‑level guidance and independently develop detailed technical solutions, identify risks, and propose mitigation strategies.
Ability to survey technical literature, understand state‑of‑the‑art developments, and incorporate relevant research into current problem sets.
Clear documentation of designs, analyses, and test results
Contribution to technical briefings and reports for customers and senior management

Experience with distributed uncrewed undersea systems (UUVs, buoys, ocean bottom nodes) and their mechanical/ocean engineering challenges
Familiarity with acoustic systems and how mechanical design impacts acoustic performance and noise control
Experience working in multi‑disciplinary R&D teams, collaborating across mechanical, electrical, acoustics, and software disciplines
Government or defense customers, and understanding of how mission needs translate into engineering requirements
Experience supporting proposal development, including providing technical input, estimates, and risk assessments
This Senior role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys owning challenging mechanical and ocean engineering problems, collaborating across disciplines, and turning advanced concepts into robust undersea systems.
You will work alongside a passionate and talented team, tackling some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in the field. Apply today and help us redefine what's possible beneath the waves.
Full-Time Salary Range: $135,000 - $160,000
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.
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.
If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! 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.
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.