Chief Engineer

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

The Collaborative Autonomy and Controls (CAC) Group in the AC2 Division develops multi‑agent autonomous systems executing multiple missions in a variety of operating domains. By leveraging expertise with machine learning, advanced algorithms, and software development best practices, we build technologies that transform reconnaissance, tactical operations, and many other mission areas.

Work with the CAC group leadership to conceptualize, market, and help capture programs that enable the group to advance the state of the art through technology development. Assemble and lead tightly knit teams to design, develop, implement, and demonstrate advanced systems. Develop system architectures and implementation strategies for program technologies. Engage customers in problem definition, solution concept ideation, and concepts for integration into broader capability ecosystems.

Work with a diverse set of customers and diverse set of problems, technology areas, and engineering teams. Conduct software solution architecture and design reviews as part of an agile development process. This position 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.

• BS in engineering or related technical field with 15+ years’ experience
• Demonstrated expertise in autonomy system and algorithm development
• Experience leading system and technology development teams
• Proven understanding of multi‑agent systems, collaborative operations, coordination and orchestration algorithms, distributed sense‑making and control, and collaborative autonomy stacks
• Proven understanding of motion planning, constraint optimization, perception, localization, mapping, controls, and related system performance metrics.
• Proven ability to lead moderate to large engineering teams (10-40 engineers) through complete Agile development lifecycle including task definition, delegation, and maintenance
• Demonstrated experience in working with both internal leadership and external customers in the development and execution of technology and system development programs
• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a Security Clearance

• MS or PhD in engineering or related technical field
• Experience with artificial intelligence architectures and machine learning methods
• Software development experience with Java, C++, Rust, Python
• Experience with any of the following:
• Programming for embedded and physical devices
• MAVLINK or other C2 protocols
• ROS
• Dev Sec Ops  and CI/CD tool chains
• Integration of complex software systems
• Knowledge representation/ontologies
• Active Security Clearance

Full‑Time Salary Range: $233,000-$320,000

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…