---
title: 'Mechanical Engineer at STR'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-str-arlington-g8afqh36khgr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Mechanical Engineer at STR

- **Company:** STR
- **Location:** Arlington, VA
- **Posted:** 2026-09-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4710572006

## Job description

About the Team:

The Sensors Division at STR excels at applied research and advanced technology development of impactful sensor system technology to address warfighter and intelligence needs. Our contributions are the culmination of modeling, development, integration, and test and evaluation of new capabilities, with validation testing at each step of development.

The Ocean Technology and Acoustic Systems (OTAS) Group within the Sensors Division executes a broad portfolio of undersea technologies to impact sensing capabilities in contested areas.  The Group develops signature exploitations, implements advanced algorithms and processing, and creates new sensing and payload technologies for critical undersea missions. The technologies can be stand-alone or for platforms such as AUVs.

STR is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with experience in the design, fabrication, integration, and testing of subsystems or payloads for unmanned platforms with emphasis on undersea sensors, payloads and vehicles. You will work with teams to realize challenging undersea applications requiring novel and complex engineering solutions. These solutions can only be accomplished by working across multidisciplinary teams to implement and demonstrate them in specific warfighter and intelligence applications.

What you will do:

- Develop technical solutions for mechanical deployable payloads and vehicles, taking into account their complex interactions with harsh maritime environments.   This work requires teamwork in key areas of design and simulation, fabrication, and validation testing of mechanical payloads and systems in underwater environments
- Collaborate in all stages of undersea systems testing, including developing comprehensive test plans, building test infrastructure, and supporting teams both in the laboratory and at-sea to mature key technology and prototypes
- Provide regular communication with internal leadership and teammates while providing key input to reports and presentations for customer reviews and engagement

Who you are:

- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government
- BS with 2+ years relevant experience or a MS in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, or related fields
- Demonstrated background in the design, modeling, fabrication, integration, and validation of mechanical systems in support of first-concept undersea sensor payloads and vehicles
- Familiarity with computer-aided CAD/CAM design tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, SolidWorks and tools to design components and systems
- Proficiency in thermal modeling, finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, or other multi-physics modeling and simulation required to quantify system performance in its operational environment
- Experience combining multiple external vendors and fabricators with in-house fabrication and integration resources to arrive at complete systems that meet functional objectives
- Experience with materials and designs to survive harsh conditions including temperature and overpressure Ability to design and implement testing methods and apparatus to quantify mechanical functionality, performance, and readiness against metrics
- Adherence to best practices for development and testing using system engineering processes that allow for continuous risk-reduction and evolution of functionality
- Ability to prepare and deliver briefings to customers, program managers, and senior management with messages appropriately tailored to the audience and purpose

Even Better:

- Strong background in working with teams to field ocean-going unmanned systems and payloads.

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $100,000-135,000

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)

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