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 [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.
Skills Required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required for government clearance eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Ocean Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 8 or more years of relevant experience
- Exceptional military operational leadership may substitute for a degree
- Hands-on experience in developmental testing
- Experience with system integration, including HIL and SIL testing
- Experience with environmental and structural testing and instrumentation
- Experience testing maritime or autonomous systems
- Experience testing software-intensive systems
- Operational test experience
- Working knowledge of autonomy, AI/ML model validation, sensor fusion, or similar disciplines
- Working knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks and repeatable quality-control processes
- Ability to influence outcomes without positional authority through technical credibility and communication
- Ability to independently assess technical risk and determine system readiness
- Experience briefing senior leadership and influencing engineering teams
- Experience developing repeatable test and evaluation processes
- Experience operating and testing systems in forward, limited-access environments
- Experience testing or operating autonomous, robotic, unmanned, counter-UAS, weapon, or integrated hardware/software defense systems
- Prior military operational service or experience in test, range operations, fires, air defense, special operations support, or unmanned systems
- Experience supporting U.S. government exercises, 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 after 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
What the Team is Saying
STR Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is presented as comprehensive, with medical, dental, and vision for employees and families, plus mental‑health support and FSAs. Inclusive elements such as transgender healthcare and pet insurance are also cited.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with company match and mentions of profit sharing, positioning long‑term savings as a core part of total rewards. Life and disability insurance are commonly listed alongside these plans.
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Parental & Family Support — Materials highlight generous parental leave, family medical leave, and onsite Mother’s Rooms, with fertility benefits also noted. These supports complement a broader emphasis on employee wellbeing.
STR Insights
What We Do
STR makes the world a safer place by developing technology and applying it to solve emerging national security challenges.
Why Work With Us
We believe in a people-first culture. Yes, we are scientists, engineers, and researchers, but first, we are people. Our environment is designed to foster innovation by encouraging our employees to work collaboratively on things they are passionate about. We also really like to have fun. We believe that working hard and playing hard go hand in hand.
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STR Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
