Autonomy Technical Lead

About the Team 

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security. We have a particular focus on airborne/surface/space-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. We work on full system prototypes, experiment campaigns, and next generation technology components. Specific technical areas include RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, tracking/fusion, autonomous systems, and systems analysis, as well as real-time embedded processor implementation.

The Systems Autonomy, Analysis, and Modeling (SAAM) Group within the Sensors Division uses modeling & simulation to create & analyze system architectures and assess their mission impact. We focus on the capabilities and limitations of ground, air, surface, and space sensing and counter-sensing platforms and the resource management of these assets to assure the survivability of US air and space assets using the methods of operational & systems analysis. SAAM also has a strong interest in the emerging use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in uncrewed systems and how sensor data is collected, fused, and understood across full systems of systems to assure mission success. SAAM is developing software and hardware tools and datasets to support these analyses, including algorithms, processing chains, and scenarios to inform and deploy onto prototype demonstration systems as well as operational systems. Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs.

The Role:

The SAAM Group is seeking an Autonomy Technical Lead with an autonomous system modeling & simulation and science & engineering background to manage a portfolio of programs focused on growing STR’s efforts in system autonomy, resource management, and dissemination of sensor information across complex systems of systems. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, scientists, and engineers distributed across multiple STR locations to meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives on innovative, complex, and challenging national security programs, providing both programmatic and technical leadership.

On the programmatic side, your areas of specific focus will include building and executing program execution plans, including personnel, deliverables, and subcontractor management plans while anticipating risks, resolving resource, security, and contracting challenges, and meeting or managing customer, sponsor, and leadership expectations.

On the technical side, the focus will be on developing architectures and implementing them in embedded software for uncrewed vehicles architected around the Open Mission System (OMS) standard.

A successful candidate will have recent and significant leadership experience in several of the following areas: autonomous systems and techniques, OMS and other open standards such as the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE), the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) autonomy framework, resource management, system engineering, software development, radar & communication systems, and modeling and simulation.

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 and systems engineering. Strong interpersonal, communication, mentorship, and peer-leadership skills are also required.

What you will do:

• Grow a program portfolio focusing on the development of autonomous distributed systems
• Effectively execute multiple programs ensuring cost, schedule and technical program metrics are being tracked and within plan
• Lead proposals by creating technical solutions and providing expertise in proposal development
• Create Subcontractor statements of work and manage/track Subcontractors to ensure proper execution
• Develop system solutions to meet customer needs using emerging architectures
• 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: 

• This position requires the ability to obtain Top-Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• Technical Undergraduate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience in the development of autonomous distributed systems and techniques
• Famil