Principal Signal Processing Engineer

systemstechnologyresearch

Woburn, MA · Woburn · United States

Posted Aug 6, 2026

Full-time
On-site
Space & Counter Space (SCS)

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Job description

About the Team

STR’s Space Missions and Sensing (SMS) Sector’s mission is to develop and apply innovative technology to space-based sensing, space control, and counter-sensing. Within the SMS Sector, the Space and Counter Space (SCS) team is at the forefront in electronic warfare technologies. Our team strives to bring critical and transformational capabilities to the warfighter through creative ideas and techniques. To realize the value, the team develops both engineering and operational prototypes to demonstrate capabilities in real world environments.

STR takes pride in our ability to address warfighter operational needs. Our core team includes principal investigators, program managers, signal processors, SW developers, FPGA expertise, RF and Electromagnetic engineers, and mechanical design experts. Our facilities support on site build and test (benchtop, anechoic chamber, and over the air). We collaborate with a dynamic group of research engineers across STR, academic researchers, and industry partners to develop practical and effective solutions to RF sensing and counter-sensing challenges.

The Role:

As a Principal Algorithm & Signal Processing Researcher, you will develop and apply state-of-the-art algorithms and techniques for signal detection, classification, autonomous sensor planning, and radar electronic warfare. You'll engage directly with our customers to understand and address their most critical challenges. You'll lead a team of researchers in creating innovative system capability and collaborate with the engineering team to develop and demonstrate and optimize over the air state-or-the-art system capabilities.

What you will Do:

Engage directly with customers to understand their unique requirements and national security needs, and shape our solutions to meet their objectives
Design and apply cutting-edge signal processing and machine learning techniques to solve complex radar and RF sensing and counter-sensing challenges
Collaborate with diverse teams, bringing together different perspectives to develop and deploy prototype systems that demonstrate our ability to extend the boundaries of what's possible
Lead and inspire multi-disciplinary teams, guiding them towards success with your technical expertise and leadership skills
Drive business development initiatives and support proposal writing efforts, playing a key role in shaping the future direction of our projects and organization

Who You Are:

Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government.
PhD, MS, or BS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline
8+ years of experience on EW or Radar programs, including the development of sensor system modes and advanced signal- and data-processing algorithms from mathematical/analytical derivation through testing and verification of system performance
2+ years experience in two or more of the following areas:

RF/radar signal processing, optimization, waveform design, electronic warfare, machine learning, adaptive signal processing, algorithm development, system model & simulation, and systems engineering

Experienced in translating system capabilities into subsystem requirements.
Experienced researcher and team member who is excited to work with mission partners to leverage cutting-edge technology and research for immediate impact.
Excellent communicator with ability to develop and tailor technical briefs to a range of audiences including subcontractors, senior level executives, and customers
Proficiency in in one or more scientific or mathematical programming languages, such as MATLAB, Python, and C/C++
Strong mathematical, troubleshooting, written, and verbal communication skills

Even Better:

Active Secret or TS/SCI Clearance
Demonstrated leadership of complex research, development, and engineering efforts  
Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline
Experience with:

Radar and RF technologies in the defense sector, particularly for RF sensing and electronic warfare applications including electronic attack, electronic protection, cognitive EW, and advanced ESM techniques and algorithms
Machine learning tasks such as natural language processing, image recognition, semantic segmentation, reinforcement learning, approaches such as Bayesian, deep convolutional and graph neural network methods, and tools such as PyTorch, Ray, TensorFlow/board, and MLflow  
Interacting with decision-makers and customers to translate mission needs into an end-to-end solution

Ability to apply novel, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to challenging engineering problems

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: $206,000 - $284,000

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 appassist@str.us 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.