Principal Investigator Undersea Systems

Woburn, MA

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. The Subsea and Seabed Systems (SSS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensor and signal processing systems, including bespoke undersea vehicles to deploy those systems.

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 Principal Investigator (PI) to lead cutting‑edge research and development in advanced undersea sensing and robotic systems. This role is ideal for a technical leader who can originate innovative concepts, shape them into compelling customer‑focused proposals, architect and plan complex programs, and drive execution from initial idea through successful at‑sea demonstration.

You will set the technical vision and lead multidisciplinary teams working on next‑generation Counter‑Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (C‑UUV) technologies, acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing, noise control, undersea robotics, and other advanced undersea systems. You will engage directly with U.S. Government and industry partners, define new capabilities, and deliver operationally relevant solutions.

• Define and lead a research agenda in advanced undersea sensing and robotics, with emphasis on C‑UUV, acoustic sensing, signal processing, and noise control
• Architect system‑level solutions for uncrewed undersea vehicles, sensor payloads, and command‑and‑control (C2) systems, including sensing, processing, autonomy, and communications
• Provide technical direction to electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers; ensure integration of hardware, software, and algorithms into robust undersea systems
• An ideal candidate need not have depth in all areas of a system (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.), but needs to understand their system‑level interplay and be able to lead a team across disciplines

• Generate new concepts and technology approaches that address emerging undersea mission needs and capability gaps
• Lead the development of white papers, proposals, and briefings; pitch ideas and technical solutions to U.S. Government and other customers
• Shape program scope, technical objectives, and execution plans in collaboration with business development and program management
• Serve as the primary technical interface to customers, communicating trade‑offs, risks, and progress clearly and credibly
• Translate concepts into executable technical plans and collaborate with a Program Manager to develop work breakdown structures, schedules, risk management, and resource planning
• Lead technical teams through design, implementation, integration, and test of undersea systems, from lab prototypes to at‑sea demonstrations
• Ensure rigorous system‑level testing (HIL, lab, pool, and at‑sea), and drive iterative improvement based on test data and operational feedback
• Mentor and develop early‑career engineers and researchers; foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and hands‑on problem solving

• Provide technical expertise in an area of undersea research. This may include:
• Guide the design and integration of advanced acoustic sensing systems, including transducer arrays, front‑end electronics, and digital signal processing chains
• Lead research in C‑UUV detection, tracking, and defeat…