Senior Researcher

Job Description

Job Description

About the Team

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 Role:

The SAAM Group is seeking a Senior 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 plan and execute technical efforts, prepare reports & deliver talks for customers, contribute to proposal efforts, and develop innovative solutions to complex and challenging national security problems. Specifically, you will focus on innovating and applying AI/ML and other decision-making algorithms to develop autonomy capabilities, particularly in simulation.

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to successfully carry out research projects and make rapid progress with limited supervision. This position also requires skills in software development, oral communication, written communications, and peer leadership.

Interviews for this role will require an in-person or virtual presentation.

What you will do:

• 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

Who you are: 

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Security Clearance at the Secret (S) level, for which US citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• BS +5 years' experience, MS +3 years' experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• Good programming skills in one or more scientific programming languages, such as C/C++, Python, or MATLAB; preferably in Linux.
• Some experience or interest in at least two of the following: machine learning, algorithm development, modeling & simulation, optimization, controls, signal processing, tracking, electronic warfare, resource allocation.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills

Even better:

• Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• Experience with mission simulators such as AFSIM or NGTS or physics-based simulators such as XPatch or Crisp
• Experience with machine learning tasks such as image recognition, deep reinforcement learning, semantic segmentation, graph neural networks, and tools such as PyTorch, Tensorboard, and Ray.
• Experience writing proposals and/or giving briefings to both highly technical and less technical audiences

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $134,000 - $174,000

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 technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at for more info.

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 [email protected] 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.