Section Manager - Hardware Engineering

systemstechnologyresearch

Woburn, MA · Woburn · United States

Posted Mar 6, 2026

Full-time
Hardware

Job description

STR is focused on delivering National Defense capabilities by driving mission-focused strategies to develop advanced technology systems enabling enduring products and solutions focused on achieving the customer vision. Our programs deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. We consider the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems.

The Systems Development Division (SDD) within STR delivers technology advantage into users’ hands and is seeking a Hardware Section Manager who will lead teams in the design, development, and deployment of systems that meet challenging customer needs. Your responsibilities will be centered in two primary areas: 1) Functional leadership of an engineering team spanning multiple disciplines in a matrixed-organization and 2) technical execution by applying your knowledge and experience in developing hardware. In this role, you will collaborate with fellow researchers and engineers on multi-disciplinary teams to interpret and understand customer objectives and develop innovative solutions. You may direct and/or lead development efforts and junior engineers, as needed, in areas of focus including exploration and demonstration of Radar and EW/RF convergence.

As a Functional Manager, you will lead a team of Engineers with skills in RF, Electrical and Mechanical (Electromechanical) Engineering, and Firmware. Your responsibilities will include hiring and developing technical experts, working with programs to ensure staffing and execution, and collaborating across the enterprise to enable your team as well as maintain awareness of corporate activities and expectations. It is not expected that you are an expert in each of the domains within the Section, but to be successful, you will need to be comfortable with effectively leveraging, delegating, and enabling people who work in domains you are not familiar with.

As a technical lead, you will apply your technical expertise and experience to support and/or guide program execution. Your responsibilities can range from individual contribution on technical efforts to being the Chief Engineer/Principal Investigator on technically-complex, high-visibility efforts.

By merging the insights and awareness gained through the execution of those primary areas, you will be positioned well to influence how Engineering meets and exceeds the expectations for rigor and reputation, while positioning it to meet future challenges.

Strong interpersonal, communication, technical, and peer-leadership skills are required. Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, detail oriented and have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team through strong written and verbal communication skills. You will be joining a dynamic team working across multiple disciplines with opportunities to further expand your knowledge and grow your career.

What you will do:

Provide clear direction and constructive feedback to Staff
Monitor progress against individual goals and program goals
Identifying, documenting, and oversight of Engineering best practices
Providing expertise in proposal writing and work estimation
Applying core technical skillset, critical thinking, and analytical skills to multiple domains effectively and working across disciplines to solve problems in innovative ways
Researching, understanding, and implementing new technical solutions related to radar, communications, and EW.
Decomposing customer needs/complex problems and developing system concepts and solutions
Designing, directing, and when necessary, implementing cutting-edge technology
Effectively utilizing tools to create, evaluate, and document solutions and clearly communicate the solution to the team, STR management and customers
Identifying clear technical problems to solve based on complex, multi-disciplinary program objectives, and effectively allocate technical problem-solving responsibilities to a multi-disciplinary team and oversee their execution.

Who you are:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance with eligibility to support Special Access Programs (SAP), for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government.
Expert understanding in skills related to at least one of the core domains (RF, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Firmware).
Demonstrated technical contributions in development of hardware systems, preferably RF/Radar related systems
Demonstrated technology vision and strategy as well as the ability to achieve vision
Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs
Prior experience leading teams (10 people or more) and being responsible for their development
Prior experience in working with programs to understand their needs and develop solutions related to the scope of this role, e.g., staffing/hiring, technical approach
Experience in preparing and delivering high-level briefings to Customers and senior management. Interacting with decision-makers and customers to translate mission needs into an end-to-end solution
Familiarity with the execution of technical reviews (SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, TIMS)
Demonstrated experience in leadership and delivery of advanced development projects.

Nice to have:

US Citizenship with active Security Clearance (Top Secret preferred), and eligible to support special access programs.
Familiarity with the other domains is desired, with a minimum expectation of willingness to learn aspects of them to better engage with your team
Demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and mentor junior engineers

Education/Background:

Background should include a Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of applicable experience directly related to development and deployment of radar systems; Master’s degree and at least 8 years of applicable experience; or PhD and at least 5 years of applicable experience. Equivalent experience will be considered

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.