About the Team

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security.  At STR, Defense Systems Researchers study complex defense technologies and systems by developing representative, physics-based models, analyzing data, developing metrics of performance, and evaluating against mission requirements.  In addition, the researcher will often integrate the algorithms and control systems that are critical to operations of modern defense systems.

The Systems Autonomy, Analysis, and Modeling (SAAM) Group within the Sensors Division studies and develops novel concepts for the next-generation ground-based, airborne, and space-based RF and EO/IR sensor systems and platforms. We perform systems and operational analysis using a combination of low, medium, and high-fidelity modeling, simulation, and analysis tools to inform systems designs and development. Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs.

The Role:

The SAAM Group is seeking a Defense Systems Researcher to work with high-performing multidisciplinary teams developing advanced concepts and algorithms while assessing the performance and survivability of operational systems in a variety of scenarios. Beginning with mission objectives, you will work with technologists with a wide range of expertise to define new concepts and characterize their performance and viability.  Many of our modeling efforts require complex simulation environments; therefore, you will also be responsible for maintaining and extending the software architecture required to evaluate these concepts in large-scale scenarios with multiple threat systems, including modern/mobile air defenses.  As a researcher your products will often be assessments and evaluations.  You will summarize your findings in technical reports and presentations to government customers.

Interviews for this role will require an in-person or virtual presentation. The candidate is encouraged to choose material that already exists, such as a project presentation or capstone.

What you will do:

• Develop and implement sensor, platform, and threat models within simulation environments
• Leverage simulation tools (and when available real data) to study system performance
• Develop and validate large scale simulations
• Develop expertise in the capabilities of current and future US and threat weapon systems, sensors, and platforms
• Contribute to and support technical presentations and reports

Who you are: 

• Ability to obtain a Security Clearance, for which U.S citizenship is required
• BS or MS in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 1 year of related work experience
• Comfortable developing and leveraging modeling and simulation tools
• Proficiency in one or more scientific programming languages, such as C/C++, Python, or MATLAB
• Experience using source code management (Git, Subversion) 
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills

Even Better:

• Active Security Clearance at the Secret or Top Secret (TS) level 
• Experience with remote sensing & counter-sensing including airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing
• Experience with platform dynamics, including aerodynamics and orbital dynamics
• Experience with modeling and simulation, especially with industry standard tools such as AFSIM