Associate Researcher

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security.

The Systems Autonomy, Analysis, and Modeling (SAAM) Group within the Sensors Division develops, adapts, and applies cutting‑edge autonomy research to solve real‑world problems on the foundation of physics‑based modeling and simulation. Algorithmic areas of interest include: AI/ML, controls theory, sensor signal processing (especially radar and EO/IR), tracking, optimization, and resource allocation. Application domains include: manned air platforms (e.g., the F‑35 Joint Simulation Environment), unmanned air platforms, and space assets, primarily for the Air Force and Navy as well as DARPA research programs.

The SAAM Group is seeking an Associate Researcher to research, design, develop and implement a portfolio of capabilities to further our autonomy mission. You will participate in multi‑disciplinary teams spread across multiple STR campuses to execute technical efforts, contribute to reports, deliverables, and proposals, and help to develop innovative solutions to complex and challenging national security problems. Specifically, you will focus on innovating and applying AI/ML and other algorithms to develop autonomy capabilities, particularly in simulation.

• Design, develop, and modify cutting‑edge machine learning and other algorithms to conduct studies and form conclusions for autonomy and other challenges
• Create, expand, upgrade, and maintain algorithms in software
• Design, develop, validate, and manage large‑scale simulations and simulation tools
• Contribute to comprehensive technical reports and presentations for government customers, articulating the implications of simulation findings on national security

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Security Clearance at the Secret (S) level, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• Good programming skills in one or more scientific programming languages such as C++, Python, or MATLAB and familiarity with object‑oriented concepts
• Experience or interest in machine learning (e.g., image recognition) and scientific computing (e.g., Linux, git, bash, CI/CD, etc.)
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
• Experience or awareness of the defense industry
• Experience with reinforcement learning, physics‑based simulation, or mission simulators (such as AFSIM or NGTS)
• Experience giving briefings to both highly technical and less technical audiences

Full‑Time Salary Range: $93,000 - $115,000

STRis 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.