Ocean Technology & Acoustic Systems (OTAS) Jobs

About the Team: The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Ocean Technologies & Acoustic Systems (OTAS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensors, payloads, and signal processing systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. STR is seeking a Maritime Test and Evaluation Director with a highly operational centric undersea-warfare background to manage the testing of a multi-disciplinary portfolio of programs focused on future maritime and undersea systems and advanced signal processing. The Role: In this role, you will own the end-to-end testing lifecycle. You will establish test strategy, govern testing standards, independently determine system readiness, provide objective assessments of testing risk, and be final authority determining when a system under test is ready to move forward. You will also interface directly with company leadership, military and government stakeholders, and serve as the final authority on system readiness. What You Will Do: Test and Evaluation Program Ownership reporting directly to the group lead - Define, execute, and oversee the Test and Evaluation master plans Independently assesses technical risk and system readiness, serving as the final authority for test readiness, execution, and procedural compliance Serve as a primary technical advisor, owning a cross-program view of T&E readiness, risk, and capability gaps across a portfolio of future undersea systems and advanced signal processing algorithms Drive standardization of test architectures, methodologies, and acceptance criteria across software, hardware, and system-level testing—ensuring consistency without sacrificing development speed Act as connective tissue between multiple T&E efforts: identify where one program’s test infrastructure, tooling, or lessons learned can accelerate another, and drive reuse Drive hands-on technical oversight of major qualification campaigns and developmental test programs Direct the T&E organization in technical reviews (e.g., TRRs, CDRs, PDRs) and program milestone gates through ownership of independent technical assessment and risk characterization 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 Exceptional military operational leadership will be considered in lieu of degree BS with 8+ years relevant experience in Mechanical Engineering or Ocean Engineering (equivalent experience considered) Demonstrated technical knowledge and hands-on experience in developmental testing, system integration (HIL/SIL), environmental/structural testing, and instrumentation, developmental testing, maritime or autonomous systems, software-intensive systems, and operational test experience Working knowledge of software-intensive system testing, including autonomy, AI/ML model validation, sensor fusion, or similar disciplines Working knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks and repeatable quality control outcomes Proven ability to operate effectively without positional authority—influencing outcomes through technical credibility, relationships, and clear communication rather than org-chart power Strong track record of independently assessing technical risk, determining system readiness, briefing senior leadership, influencing engineering teams through technical credibility, and developing repeatable T&E processes Even Better: Breadth of experience operating and testing systems in forward, limited-access environments Direct experience testing or operating autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned systems, counter-UAS systems, weapon systems, or integrated hardware/software defense platforms Prior military operational service, or in test, range operations, fires, air defense, special operations support, or unmanned systems roles Experience supporting U.S. government exercises and evaluations, foreign military sales demonstrations, or international partner field events Experience serving as the responsible technical authority for testing Experience leading root-cause investigations and corrective actions following test failures Experience balancing technical rigor, schedule, mission objectives, and program risk Experience planning and executing operational demonstrations, fleet experimentation, or government evaluations Willingness to travel to test events and field demonstrations Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $147,000 - $200,000 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.

About the Team: The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Ocean Technologies & Acoustic Systems (OTAS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensors, payloads, and signal processing systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. The Role: The OTAS Group is seeking a Program Manager with a highly operational centric undersea-warfare background to manage a portfolio of programs focused on future undersea systems and advanced signal processing. This position also requires extensive knowledge of Navy and IC customer structure and needs. Prior experience working within the Navy signal processing R&D and IC is highly beneficial. In this role you will manage multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, scientists, and engineers spread across multiple STR campuses to meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives on innovative, complex, and challenging national security programs. Your areas of specific focus will include building and executing programmatic baselines, including personnel, deliverables, and subcontractor / contract manufacturer management plans while anticipating risks, resolving resource, security, and contracting challenges, and meeting or managing customer, sponsor, and leadership expectations. A successful candidate will have recent and significant program manager experience in several of the following areas: undersea warfare, sonar systems, ocean engineering, modeling and simulation, test & evaluation, hardware design, software architecture, uncrewed underwater vehicles, resource management, acoustic data analysis, signal processing, and/or communications. 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. Strong interpersonal, communication, mentorship, and peer-leadership skills are also required. What you will do: Effectively execute multiple programs ensuring cost, schedule and technical program metrics are being tracked and within plan Lead proposals by providing expertise in proposal development while ensuring adherence to a gated capture process Create Subcontractor statements of work and manage/track Subcontractors to ensure proper execution Work with contract manufacturers to build up to LRIP and then meet LRIP milestones with high quality Lead multi-functional teams 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: Active TS/SSBI clearance with SCI and ability to gain and SAP accreditations, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government Technical Degree and 8+ years of prior relevant experience. In lieu of degree, extensive experience with government contracting, research and development (R&D), scientific & technical intelligence (S&TI), or advanced technology production will be considered Program Manager or Control Account Manager experience in design and development and/or build contract including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) definition, schedule generation, financial analysis/reporting, and resource management Experience in Proposal Management including planning and cost estimation Experience managing projects larger than $10M for the Department of War or IC. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills Successful experience in leading and managing multi-discipline teams Strong presentation and organizational skills Even Better: Experience with advanced undersea warfare system concepts, signal processing, underwater acoustics, and ocean engineering Experience with sonar systems Work Experience in government, FFRDC, or defense industry companies and sponsors Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience Contract manufacturing experience Risk and Opportunity Management experience Experience managing Research and Development programs Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications including but not limited to MS Project, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of groundbreaking undersea systems that will shape the future of undersea defense. You will work alongside a passionate and talented team, tackling some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in the field. If you are passionate about managing programs that deliver advanced undersea technology that sailors depend on working, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us redefine what’s possible beneath the waves. Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $147,000 - $200,000 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.