--- title: 'Lead Space System Engineer at STR' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-space-system-engineer-str-melbourne-4ne84egd4d3z' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-06' --- # Lead Space System Engineer at STR - **Company:** STR - **Location:** Melbourne, Australia - **Posted:** 2026-11-05 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4727369006 ## Job description Lead Space System Engineer About the Team: The Sensors Division develops advanced solutions in radar, space-based sensing, electronic warfare, and underwater acoustics. Within the Space Missions and Sensing (SMS) Sector, we focus on advancing space sensing, space control, and counter-sensing technologies for critical national security missions. The Role: Lead Space System Engineer The SMS Sector is seeking a Lead Space System Engineer to leverage their systems engineering expertise in a dynamic Research & Development environment. In this role, you will be an integral part of a team dedicated to the development of a cutting-edge space-based sensing system platform. You will architect the system and define requirements for the constellation, encompassing command and control (C2), intersatellite communications, ground processing, spectrum allocation, and satellite sensor modes. You will drive the critical decision-making process on how functionality is partitioned between space and ground segments, balancing mission performance against key constraints such as SWAP-C and security. As the system engineer, you will collaborate closely with program leadership and external partners to establish and execute the program’s objectives, requirements, and development plan. You will also play a key role in assessing current and future system capabilities and providing technical development insights for business development initiatives. This position offers significant opportunities for career growth within a fast-paced and rapidly expanding company. What you will do: - Lead systems engineering and requirements development/management for a team building a space-based sensing platform. - Architect and drive detailed analysis to derive command and control, data transport, and processing requirements. - Collaborate with other team leads and subcontractors on the technology roadmap to test and integrate complex subsystems. - Define mission partitioning between the system under development and other government systems, authoring the Interface Control Documents (ICDs) that govern these critical interactions. - Provide guidance, coaching, and mentoring to junior staff to elevate the team's overall technical capability. Who you are: - Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (U.S. citizenship required). - BS with 7+ years of experience or MS with 5+ years of experience in Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or related field. With a proven track record in a System Engineering role. - Sensing Expertise: Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following: - Space-based RF/RADAR processing (including signal processing, spectrum allocation, or electronic warfare). - Space-based Optical sensing and processing (including focal plane arrays, optical trains, or image processing). - Flight Software: Proven experience with satellite flight software architectures, including real-time software development and hardware-software interface definition. - Systems Lifecycle: Multi-disciplinary knowledge in mission modeling, systems design, hardware/firmware integration, and testing. - Leadership: Skilled at directing the activities of development teams and managing technical deliverables. - Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable plans. Even Better: - Prior experience working on SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) or SAP (Special Access Programs). - Experience designing, integrating, and testing optical communications hardware. - Experience providing technical contributions to business development and proposal efforts. - Experience with field test planning and execution. Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $174.000 to $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 - [Senior Cyber Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cyber-software-engineer-str-woburn-0k8yxdhp52yz) — Woburn, MA - [Lead Space System Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-space-system-engineer-str-woburn-ysc13zt21q09) — Woburn, MA - [Lead Mission Engineer - Full Stack (Secret Clearance Required)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-mission-engineer-full-stack-secret-clearance-required-str-remote-k9st616kh7xx) - [Principal Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-arlington-jh2ywcmdwks2) — Arlington, VA - [Principal Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-dayton-8r5y9mn6mhcr) — Dayton, OH - [Principal Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-woburn-cz39zr0wmwad) — Woburn, MA - [Lead Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-arlington-w9f0dhhg89a5) — Arlington, VA - [Lead Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-dayton-g9rmcv4q138m) — Dayton, OH - [Lead Algorithm & Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-algorithm-signal-processing-engineer-str-woburn-ftcxj4rpwprz) — Woburn, MA - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-str-atlanta-wc62v6taqmg0) — Atlanta, GA