---
title: 'Lead Software Engineer at STR'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-software-engineer-str-san-diego-mvtrfbjtm4p2'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Lead Software Engineer at STR

- **Company:** STR
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-03-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4667332006

## Job description

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact on our national security. Our team innovates communications technology across all networking layers, from the physical to the application layer. We value diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives, which are vital to delivering innovative solutions to our customers. If you have a strong track record of delivering impactful software solutions and meet the qualifications below, we encourage you to apply!

Job Overview:

A successful candidate will possess several years of practical experience in software engineering, integration and testing, and networking concepts and protocols. They will demonstrate a proven ability to take ownership of technical challenges and deliver results in collaborative, fast-paced environments. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of computer science concepts, sound software engineering principles, and hands-on experience working on Linux systems. Experienced engineers at STR are expected to work independently while contributing meaningfully to team efforts and mentoring less experienced team members.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a high-profile, fast paced yet structured development environment alongside a diverse and talented team. In this role, you will take a leadership role in designing, implementing, and testing software that enhances advanced real-time data communications and networking solutions using open systems principles. We aim for the highest standards of quality, maintainability, and reuse in our tools and techniques.  Therefore, candidates should have a demonstrated ability to produce well-designed, scalable solutions and to establish and follow reliable testing methodologies.

What you will do:

- Collaborate closely with a small, dedicated research team to develop innovative solutions to complex problems
- Take ownership of significant features or components of projects and deliver them with minimal supervision
- Lead technical discussions, guide architectural decisions, and mentor junior engineers
- Develop and test novel software solutions spanning research, development, and deployed production systems
- Analyze and improve existing designs and processes to optimize performance
- Deliver high-quality software in a rapid-paced, research-focused team environment
- Develop operational prototypes for experimentation and performance analysis
- Create customer-facing operational systems, ensuring they meet high reliability and usability standards

Who you are:

- This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required by the U.S. Government
- 7+ years of experience in relevant software engineering roles
- Proficient in Python, C, C++, or similar interpreted or low-level programming languages
- Experienced with designing and implementing open architectures and rapid prototyping methodologies
- Strong working knowledge of software testing, evaluation best practices, and industry-standard development lifecycles
- Significant hands-on experience developing software with GNU/Linux toolchains using open-source software
- Deep understanding of networking principles, including the 5-layer OSI networking stack
- Strong team player with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Bachelor's (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with at least 7 years of relevant experience or equivalent expertise gained through prior roles

Nice to Have:

- Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance
- Advanced experience in Python, MATLAB, and/or other high-level programming languages
- Proven ability to build, deploy, and maintain production-ready software systems
- Experience writing software in a multi-party, large-scale codebase
- Demonstrated success managing technical challenges in experimental/laboratory environments, including performing quantitative analysis
- 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: $157,000 - $224,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Final 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)

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