--- title: 'Embedded Software Architect at STR' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-architect-str-arlington-sea5ptsj4jqz' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Embedded Software Architect at STR - **Company:** STR - **Location:** Arlington, VA - **Posted:** 2026-08-06 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4703002006 ## Job description About the Team: The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems to add national security capabilities, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. Within these areas, we perform work on emerging concepts & technologies, component & system development and prototyping, and experimental campaigns. The Optical & Novel Sensing (ONS) Group within the Sensors Division pursues physics-driven research across multiple domains to provide warfighter and intelligence mission performance unachievable with traditional sensors. Our main customer focus is on Department of War and Intelligence Community research and development programs, with work spanning concept formulation through validation prototyping. The Role: We are seeking a talented and versatile Embedded Software Architect to drive the system definition and software architecture for advanced signal processing solutions on resource-constrained embedded platforms. The ideal candidate has broad embedded experience, excels in analyzing complex algorithms to inform technical requirements, and can recommend and develop solutions across CPUs, DSPs, and FPGAs. They will interface with external spacecraft and satellite integrators to define requirements, and play a key role in software development, optimization, and technical guidance within our engineering team. What you will do: - Analyze customer use cases and signal processing algorithms to generate clear, actionable system and software requirements for embedded platforms - Evaluate and recommend computational architectures (CPU, DSP, FPGA, or hybrid) best suited to mission needs, balancing system complexity, performance, and resource constraints - Architect, design, and implement embedded software at the middleware or application level, with a focus on resource-efficiency and high reliability - Optimize and port software to maximize performance on computationally limited SoCs; proficiently devise functional splits between processor and FPGA - Collaborate with spacecraft/satellite integrators and internal stakeholders to translate mission objectives into robust technical specifications - Provide mentoring, code reviews, and technical guidance to less-experienced team members Who you are: - Ability to obtain a security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required by the U.S. Government - Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field - BS with 7+ years’ experience in embedded software development for resource-constrained systems (such as CPU/DSP/FPGA SoCs). Equivalent experience will be considered. - Proficient in C/C++ for embedded systems; familiarity with MATLAB and RTOS environments a plus - Strong foundation in signal processing algorithms and their computational/resource implications - Demonstrated ability to derive system/software architecture from high-level algorithm analysis and mission requirements - Experience with partitioning solutions between processors and programmable logic (e.g., FPGA) - Proven ability to work effectively with customers and cross-disciplinary teams to translate concepts into specifications and implementations - Strong communication skills and experience mentoring or guiding junior engineers - Experience with DevOps practices and tools to support efficient, reliable software development and deployment workflows - Agile software lifecycle methodologies and tools, such as JIRA, Confluence, Gitlab, static analysis, etc Even better: - Active Secret clearance with the U.S. Government - Advanced experience in Python, MATLAB, and/or other high-level programming languages - Familiarity with multi-threaded or multi-core real-time operating concepts - Knowledge of high-level software architecture design and scalability principles - Demonstrated leadership abilities, including mentoring junior staff and contributing to team efficiency Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $174,000 - $225,000 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, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. 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](http://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 STR ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: STR (Systems & Technology Research) develops and applies advanced technology to solve emerging national security challenges for the U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence community. - **Entity Type**: Private (employee-owned) - **Headquarters**: Woburn, Massachusetts, United States - **Founded**: 2010 - **Founders**: Not publicly available ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: National security technology, defense, cybersecurity, sensing, analytics, systems engineering - **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, government agencies (B2G) - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Making the world a safer place” by delivering high-impact technology solutions to the nation’s hardest problems. ## Products & Services - **Cyber**: Applies reverse engineering, vulnerability assessment, formal methods, and AI/ML to solve critical cybersecurity and operational problems for the DoD. - **Sensors**: Develops hardware and algorithm prototypes for radar, underwater acoustics, electronic warfare, and advanced RF/EOIR sensing concepts. - **Analytics & C2**: Transforms information into advantage through command & control, autonomous systems, machine learning, graph analytics, and data visualization. - **Systems Development**: Delivers resilient, high-impact capabilities at scale using model-based systems engineering, DevSecOps, and mission-focused integration. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue $100M–$500M (LinkedIn estimate) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Employee-owned; primary customer is the U.S. Department of Defense. Key talent sources include Leidos, L3Harris, BAE Systems, MITRE, RTX, Draper, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. - **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 15% YoY (644 employees); active job postings increased 155.8% year-over-year (133 current openings); operates 7 U.S. offices. ## Competitive Advantages - **Employee-owned structure** aligns incentives with long-term mission impact rather than short-term returns. - **Multi-disciplinary expertise** spanning cyber, sensors, analytics, and systems engineering enables integrated solutions. - **“The STR Triangle”** – combines world‑renowned researchers, growing talent, and skilled engineers to rapidly mature ideas into fielded capabilities. - **Meeting‑free Fridays** and flexible schedules support deep technical work and work‑life balance. ## Strategic Focus - Continue to solve emerging national security challenges by investing in AI/ML, autonomous systems, cyber resilience, and advanced sensing. - Scale delivery through model‑based systems engineering and DevSecOps practices. - Attract and retain top technical talent by fostering a culture of purpose, diversity, and professional growth. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: “Choose‑your‑own‑adventure” career model – employees can pursue research, product development, engineering, or management paths. Emphasis on unconventional thinking, diverse perspectives, and real impact. - **Remote/Hybrid**: Some roles are remote (e.g., Lead Mission Engineer Full Stack); most positions are on‑site at one of seven U.S. locations (Woburn MA, Arlington VA, Dayton OH, Carlsbad CA, Palm Bay FL, San Diego CA, Melbourne FL). - **Notable perks**: Great health/dental/vision coverage, generous 401k matching, tuition reimbursement, results‑based bonuses, active interest groups, social events, snacks & coffee. Interns focus on real‑world problems, not busy work. - **Engineering culture**: Strong mentorship, collaboration with national security experts, and opportunities to work on cutting‑edge technology from research through deployment. ## Sources 1. [str.us](https://str.us/) 2. [str.us/careers](https://str.us/careers/) 3. [str.us/life-at-str](https://str.us/life-at-str/) 4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch) 5. [linkedin.com/company/str-us](https://www.linkedin.com/company/str-us) ## Other roles at STR - [Lead Biologist](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-biologist-str-woburn-3rs93ab9rcqe) — Woburn, MA - [Principal Radar Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-radar-systems-engineer-str-dayton-ztgm8nd36x2f) — Dayton, OH - [Principal Radar Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-radar-systems-engineer-str-woburn-8jgj8d1pvt2w) — Woburn, MA - [Associate Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-researcher-str-atlanta-mmk8jc9v08vx) — Atlanta, GA - [Principal Software Reverse Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-reverse-engineer-str-san-diego-z8n96wzd7axg) — San Diego, CA - [Principal Software Reverse Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-reverse-engineer-str-melbourne-syztnrhmtv52) — Melbourne, Australia - [Principal Software Reverse Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-reverse-engineer-str-arlington-t8vefj1e0ehn) — Arlington, VA - [Principal Software Reverse Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-reverse-engineer-str-woburn-ws8zjkq40v49) — Woburn, MA - [Senior Embedded Signal Processing Engineer for Undersea Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-signal-processing-engineer-for-undersea-systems-str-woburn-rz1g1rwmrwza) — Woburn, MA - [Summer 2027 Internship Opportunities – Resume & Information Submission](https://feeny.ai/job/summer-2027-internship-opportunities-resume-information-submission-str-woburn-9rnhxswrew1b) — Woburn, MA / Arlington, VA / Melbourne, Australia / San Diego, CA / Dayton, OH