Lead Software Engineer with Security Clearance

About the Team: The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. Within this role, we perform work on full system prototypes, experiment campaigns and technology component development.

Development roles within the Sensors Division include RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, tracking/fusion, as well as real-time embedded processor implementation. Within the Sensors Division, the Real-time Architectures, Integration and Demonstration (RAID) Group focuses on transition of algorithms from concept to real-time software, providing open architecture expertise, and facilitating integration of capabilities for experimentation, test, and deployment.

The Role: The RAID Group is seeking a Lead Software Engineer with demonstrated expertise in GPU programming and optimization to design, develop, and implement real-time software for RF sensor systems compliant with open architecture standards. You will work as part of focused teams to transition advanced signal processing algorithms from research prototypes into production-quality software for embedded and distributed computing platforms.

You will be responsible for architecting software components, implementing real-time processing pipelines, and optimizing performance for resource-constrained systems. A successful candidate will have experience developing high-performance C/C++ software for sensor systems. Strong understanding of real-time systems, multithreaded programming, and signal processing are essential. Experience with open architecture frameworks and standards is highly desired. Strong technical, interpersonal, and communication skills are important for working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams.

What you will do

• Design and implement real-time software components for RF sensor signal processing systems
• Develop and optimize GPU-accelerated algorithms for signal processing pipelines using CUDA
• Translate algorithm specifications (MATLAB, Python) into optimized C/C++ implementations
• Architect software components compliant with open architecture standards
• Integrate and optimize code for real-time performance on multi-core CPUs and GPUs with strict latency requirements
• Develop unit tests, integration tests, and performance benchmarks; promote testing best practices
• Document software designs, APIs, implementation details, and technical reports
• Contribute to briefings and presentations for program reviews and customer meetings
• Collaborate with algorithm developers, systems engineers, RF hardware engineers, and integration teams across programs
• Contribute to proposal development efforts including technical approach
• Perform peer reviews and suggest next steps for technical work
• Support approximately 20% travel for integration events, customer meetings, and field demonstrations Who you are:
• Ability to obtain and retain a Secret Security Clearance, for which U.S Citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• PhD + 2 years, MS + 5 years, or BS + 7 years in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Experience with GPU programming and optimization (CUDA)
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for high-performance, real-time applications
• Experience with Linux and embedded systems development
• Experience with real-time signal processing
• Experience with multithreaded programming, thread safety, and synchronization
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development practices
• Good technical writing and communication skills Even Better:
• Active Security Clearance at the Secret or Top Secret level (strongly preferred due to clearance processing time)
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm prototyping
• Experience with open architecture standards and frameworks
• Understanding of RF signal processing concepts
• Familiarity with containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
• Prior contributions to proposal development and technical writing Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $157,000 - $223,000 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 www.str.us 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 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.