Principal Maritime Mechanical Engineer

About the Team:

The Sensors Division at STR excels at applied research and advanced technology development of impactful sensor system technology to address warfighter and intelligence needs. Our contributions are the culmination of modeling, development, integration, and test and evaluation of new capabilities, with validation testing at each step of development.

The Advanced Systems Development (ASD) Group within the Sensors Division executes a broad portfolio of undersea and overhead technologies to impact sensing capabilities in contested areas. The Group develops signature exploitations, implements advanced algorithms and processing, and creates novel sensing technologies spanning acoustic and optical domains. The technologies can be stand-alone or for platforms such as AUVs.

STR is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer distinguished in the design, fabrication, integration, and testing of undersea sensors, payloads and vehicles. You will lead initiatives involving challenging undersea applications that requires novel and complex engineering solutions. These solutions can only be accomplished working across multidisciplinary teams to implement and demonstrate them in specific warfighter and intelligence applications.

What you will do:

• Define and lead research and validation of mechanical deployable payloads and vehicles, taking into account their complex interactions with harsh maritime environments. This work will require leadership in design and simulation, fabrication, and validation testing of mechanical payloads and systems in underwater environments


• Oversee all stages of undersea systems testing, including developing comprehensive test plans, building test infrastructure, and leading teams to support both laboratory and at-sea testing


• Manage all stages of undersea systems development spanning computer design, laboratory bench testing, and at-sea validation to ensure solutions remain on track with objectives


• Lead multidisciplinary teams involving mentoring of individuals, coordination and communication across technical teams, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders


• Engage customer and develop compelling, innovative technical solutions to address maritime warfighter needs

Who you are:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government


• BS, MS, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, or related fields


• Demonstrated proficiency in the design, modeling, fabrication, integration, and validation of mechanical systems in support of first-concept undersea sensor payloads and vehicles


• Proficiency with computer-aided CAD/CAM design tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, SolidWorks and tools to design components and systems


• Expertise in thermal modeling, finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and other multi-physics modeling and simulation required to quantify system performance in its operational environment. This expertise spans both steady-state equilibrium calculations as well as transients


• Proficient with combining multiple external vendors and fabricators with in-house fabrication and integration resources to arrive at complete systems that meet functional objectives


• Demonstrated expertise with materials and designs to survive harsh conditions including temperature and overpressure


• Ability to design and implement testing methods and apparatus to quantify mechanical functionality, performance, and readiness against metrics


• Ability in specifying required laboratory spaces, equipment, and processes to accomplish system fabrication and integration


• Adherence to best practices for development and testing using system engineering processes that allow for continuous risk-reduction and evolution of functionality


• Track record leading multidisciplinary teams for complex systems requiring coordination with dependent subsystem teams


• Ability to prepare and deliver briefings to customers, program managers, and senior management with messages appropriately tailored to the audience and purpose

Even Better:

• Breadth of experience testing systems in challenging, limited-access environment

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.