Autonomy Technical Lead

About the Team 

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security. We have a particular focus on airborne/surface/space-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. We work on full system prototypes, experiment campaigns, and next generation technology components. Specific technical areas include RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, tracking/fusion, autonomous systems, and systems analysis, as well as real-time embedded processor implementation.

The Systems Autonomy, Analysis, and Modeling (SAAM) Group within the Sensors Division uses modeling & simulation to create & analyze system architectures and assess their mission impact. We focus on the capabilities and limitations of ground, air, surface, and space sensing and counter-sensing platforms and the resource management of these assets to assure the survivability of US air and space assets using the methods of operational & systems analysis. SAAM also has a strong interest in the emerging use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in uncrewed systems and how sensor data is collected, fused, and understood across full systems of systems to assure mission success. SAAM is developing software and hardware tools and datasets to support these analyses, including algorithms, processing chains, and scenarios to inform and deploy onto prototype demonstration systems as well as operational systems. Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs.

The Role:

The SAAM Group is seeking an Autonomy Technical Lead with an autonomous system modeling & simulation and science & engineering background to manage a portfolio of programs focused on growing STR’s efforts in system autonomy, resource management, and dissemination of sensor information across complex systems of systems. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, scientists, and engineers distributed across multiple STR locations to meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives on innovative, complex, and challenging national security programs, providing both programmatic and technical leadership.

On the programmatic side, your areas of specific focus will include building and executing program execution plans, including personnel, deliverables, and subcontractor management plans while anticipating risks, resolving resource, security, and contracting challenges, and meeting or managing customer, sponsor, and leadership expectations.

On the technical side, the focus will be on developing architectures and implementing them in embedded software for uncrewed vehicles architected around the Open Mission System (OMS) standard.

A successful candidate will have recent and significant leadership experience in several of the following areas: autonomous systems and techniques, OMS and other open standards such as the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE), the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) autonomy framework, resource management, system engineering, software development, radar & communication systems, and modeling and simulation.

This position requires competency in leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams, briefing senior leadership, cultivating positive, collaborative, and productive work environments, and a strong proficiency in all aspects of program management and systems engineering. Strong interpersonal, communication, mentorship, and peer-leadership skills are also required.

What you will do:

• Grow a program portfolio focusing on the development of autonomous distributed systems
• Effectively execute multiple programs ensuring cost, schedule and technical program metrics are being tracked and within plan
• Lead proposals by creating technical solutions and providing expertise in proposal development
• Create Subcontractor statements of work and manage/track Subcontractors to ensure proper execution
• Develop system solutions to meet customer needs using emerging architectures
• Provide regular program briefs to Group and Division Leadership
• Create and maintain an environment that fosters collaboration by giving clear direction and constructive feedback to the team
• Monitor progress against goals: anticipate risks, resolve issues, and initiate corrective actions as appropriate

Who you are: 

• This position requires the ability to obtain Top-Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• Technical Undergraduate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience in the development of autonomous distributed systems and techniques
• Familiarity with relevant open standards such as OMS, FACE, Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture (AMS-GRA), and Weapons Open System Architecture (WOSA)
• Familiarity with government-owned autonomy frameworks such as the DARPA-developed Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) autonomy framework or other upcoming government reference architectures
• Program Manager or Control Account Manager experience in a design and development and/or build contract including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) definition, schedule generation, financial analysis/reporting, and resource management
• Experience with system autonomy and resource management & familiarity with OMS, FACE and other open standards
• Experience in Proposal Management including planning and cost estimation
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Successful experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams
• Strong presentation and organizational skills

Even Better:

• Active Secret or Top-Secret security clearance
• Experience with advanced RF or EO/IR system concepts, operational and systems analysis, multi-dimensional signal processing, and multi-function apertures 
• Experience evaluating the impact of system capabilities on operational scenarios
• Experience managing projects larger than $5M for the Department of Defense
• Work Experience in government, FFRDC, or defense industry companies and sponsors
• Risk and Opportunity Management experience
• Experience managing Research and Development programs

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 [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.