--- title: 'Embedded Systems Emulation Engineer at STR' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-systems-emulation-engineer-str-arlington-epga235j5k3j' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Embedded Systems Emulation Engineer at STR - **Company:** STR - **Location:** Arlington, VA - **Posted:** 2026-05-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4683263006 ## Job description STR is hiring an Embedded Systems Emulation Engineer to join our multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers developing cutting-edge technologies with significant and immediate impact on our national security. In this role, you will work at the intersection of computer systems and real-world physical systems, building the tools and models that emulate complex cyber-physical platforms to enable analysis, reverse engineering, and experimentation. We believe every employee brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that are essential to providing innovative solutions for our customers. You do not need to have experience with every technology listed to be successful in this role. Strong fundamentals, curiosity, and the ability to learn new tools and domains are highly valued. What you will do: - Work as part of a small, focused team to architect, develop, implement, and test modular software applications and tools for emulating cyber-physical systems. - Extend and customize existing emulation frameworks (e.g., QEMU) in C/C++ and Python to support new targets, peripherals, and capabilities. - Rehost unknown or sparsely documented firmware by analyzing binaries, identifying hardware dependencies, and adapting these to run correctly in emulated environments. - Develop emulator tooling and virtual device models to support reverse engineering and analysis of embedded systems across diverse architectures (e.g., ARM, PPC). - Develop digital models using virtualization tools (e.g., QEMU) and network them together to create integrated, end-to-end system simulations that closely approximate real hardware behavior. - Ensure model quality and correctness through unit-level and system-level testing, and by validating behavior against first principles, measured data, documentation, and hardware/software artifacts. - Communicate technical foundations of models and algorithms through reports and briefings Who you are: - This position requires an Active Secret security clearance with eligibility for Top Secret (TS) clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government. - Proficiency in C/C++ for systems-level or embedded software development - Proficiency in Python for tool development, automation, and integration - Familiarity with emulation and virtualization tools (e.g., QEMU or similar frameworks) - Strong understanding of computer architecture, emulation principles, and software engineering best practices (e.g., modular design, testing, code review) - Experience using collaborative source code management (e.g., Git) Education: - BS in Computer Engineering, Computers Science, Electrical Engineering or related field Nice to have: - Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance - Familiarity with network architecture and protocols, and experience integrating networked simulations - Experience with low-level software modifications (e.g., implants, firmware changes, binary patch development) - Experience at the software/hardware interface, including device drivers or real-time/embedded operating systems - Experience with reverse engineering and firmware rehosting for embedded systems, including analysis of instruction set architectures (e.g., ARM, PPC) and use of tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or Binary Ninja - Experience implementing component models (e.g., sensors, actuators, dynamics, environmental factors) in Python and/or C/C++, and integrate them into system-level simulations and software processing chains - Experience working with hardware components and interfaces - Masters or PhD in related field Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $110,000 - $151,000 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