Lead Product Engineer
About the Team
The Mission Applications (MA) Group within the AC2 Division creates outsized mission impact with our customers through specialized application and deployment of STR technology. Staff within the MA group have a deep understanding of missions and technology needs for national security with skills targeting transition of technology to operational use, including product management, UX Product implementation, software integration & mission engineering, platform engineering, DevOps, and program management. MA staff combine with other science and engineering staff from the various STR research and development groups to form dedicated product teams focused on accelerating the operational transition of cutting-edge software technologies.
The Role:
As a Lead Product Engineer in the MA Group, you are the technical professional who bridges the gap between a conceptual idea from the Product team and an operational mission application through the oversight of the entire lifecycle of a product. You are responsible for design, test, and product refinement to ensure they meet strict standards for performance, reliability, and cost. By collaborating closely with Product, Platform, Mission Engineers and system architects, product engineers troubleshoot design flaws early, optimize production efficiency, and align technical choices with the needs of the end user.
What You Will Do:
- Design & prototype through AI enabled tools to create clickable prototypes and shared web based mockups. You can write full-stack code for software features.
- Test prototypes for workflow supportability, reliability, durability, and user experience flaws
- Bridge the gap between concept and production, choosing efficient approaches to rapidly build upon the initial prototype while scaling processes
- Diagnose production issues, fix design flaws, and improve user outcomes
- Engage directly with end users, build strong customer relationships, and constantly seek to apply new technology to solve real customer problems
- Understand all stakeholders, the constraints in which those stakeholders operate, and create customer solutions that work within the constraints of the business
- Foster team collaboration to embrace the give and take between software functionality, user experience, and enabling technology
- Hold high-integrity commitments to deliver viable solutions that work for the customer and business
- Work in a fast-paced environment to enable successful contract execution
This role will take advantage of STR’s flexible, hybrid environment – when the work does not require use of STR’s facilities, you are welcome to work remotely.
Who You Are:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Active US Security Clearance
- BS in Computer Science or related technical field with at least 5 years of work experience
- Experience deploying software for DoD or IC missions
- A passion for crafting user-centric interfaces and a keen eye for design details
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of modern technologies such as React, TypeScript, and Python
- Knowledge of performance-focused tools and techniques for rendering large datasets and building responsive, smooth interfaces
- A demonstrated ability to adopt new languages, libraries, and technologies
- Organized, detail-oriented, and with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Demonstrated experience as an effective communicator to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Aptitude for collaborating with stakeholders across a wide range of technical comfort levels
Even Better:
- Active Security Clearance at the Top Secret level with SCI Eligibility
- Advanced Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical field
- Prior US Military Service with experience in joint planning, large force battle monitoring, and fluidity with large force debrief best practice
- Experience working with visual design tools to communicate ideas
- Fluency with software development best practices and tools
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Located near STR office in Carlsbad, CA, Arlington, VA, Woburn, MA, or Denver, CO; location in Honolulu, HI preferred as well.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $168,000 - $205,000
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
- U.S. citizenship
- Active US security clearance
- BS in Computer Science or related technical field with at least 5 years of work experience
- Experience deploying software for DoD or Intelligence Community missions
- Proficiency with React
- Proficiency with TypeScript
- Proficiency with Python
- Ability to design and prototype using AI-enabled tools and create web-based mockups
- Experience testing prototypes for workflow supportability, reliability, and UX
- Strong communication skills with technical and non-technical audiences
- Organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and collaboratively
- Knowledge of performance-focused techniques for rendering large datasets and building responsive interfaces
- Active Top Secret/TS/SCI clearance or SCI eligibility (preferred)
- Advanced degree in CS, IT, or related field (preferred)
- Prior US military service with relevant mission experience (preferred)
- Experience with visual design tools and software development best practices (preferred)
- Located near STR offices in listed cities or Honolulu (preferred)
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.
