Chief Scientist - Optics

About The Team

STR is seeking a Chief Scientist to develop a cohesive strategy and provide direction, technical oversight, and review across our sensing and counter‑sensing portfolio. The role involves developing new optical sensing concepts, architectures, active and passive systems, and novel processing, and applying expertise across RF, biological, and acoustic sensing to create strategies and roadmaps.

The position also leads customer engagements across military and intelligence communities to develop program concepts, ideas, and proposals.

The Chief Scientist will build a multi‑site team, manage business processes, and handle technical marketing, business development, proposal writing, recruiting, program execution, and staff mentoring.

Core responsibilities include system integration, field testing, data collection, missions and CONOPs, and delivering quality results to defense and intelligence customers.

• Technical marketing to existing and potential customers
• Technical proposal development (idea generation, writing, reviewing)
• Creating innovative solutions to challenging sensing/counter‑sensing problems
• Leading teams to design, develop, implement, test and analyze solutions to national security problems
• Serving as primary technical point of contact for specific customers and offices
• Travel to various STR and customer locations

• Experience working with the defense and intelligence communities on sensor and signal processing related technology
• Entrepreneurial spirit eager to engage in technical marketing and business development
• Proven track record in writing and winning technical proposals
• 15+ years of relevant experience in the field
• Background and education in electrical/computer engineering, computer science, aeronautical/aerospace engineering, mathematics or physics
• Experience leading technical teams on advanced R&D programs (e.g., Air Force, Navy, Army, DARPA, IC research projects)
• Experience developing innovative sensing solutions with new sensors and/or algorithms
• Motivated collaborator and effective communicator to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Active Security Clearance at the TS level, requiring US citizenship

Full‑Time Salary Range: $265,000 - $360,000

Boston, MA;
Arlington, VA;
Dayton, OH;
Melbourne, FL;
Carlsbad, CA.

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 appassist 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.