Lead Software Engineer

About the Team:

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:

As a Lead Software Engineer you will 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.

What you will do:

• You will be responsible for architecting software components, implementing real-time processing pipelines, and optimizing performance for resource-constrained RF signal processing systems


• 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:

• Active clearance at the Secret level with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is a government requirement


• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field with 2-7+ years of relevant work experience depending on degree (BS +7 years, MS +5 years, PhD +2 years)


• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for high-performance, real-time sensor applications


• Experience in the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Linux and embedded systems development, real-time signal processing, multithreaded programming, thread safety, and synchronization, version control systems (Git) and collaborative development practices
  
  


• Strong technical writing, interpersonal, and communication skills

Even Better:

• Active Top Secret clearance (TS/SCI preferred)


• Understanding of RF signal processing concepts


• Experience with:
  
  
  
  • Open architecture frameworks and standards
  
  
  • MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm prototyping
  
  
  • GPU programming and optimization (CUDA, OpenCL)
  
  
  • Containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
  
  
  • Proposal development and technical writing
  
  

Join us and be part of a team that's making an impact at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $157,000 - $224,000

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.