---
title: 'Senior Mechanical Engineer for Undersea Systems at STR'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-for-undersea-systems-str-woburn-yq7cn1f67rst'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Senior Mechanical Engineer for Undersea Systems at STR

- **Company:** STR
- **Location:** Woburn, MA
- **Posted:** 2026-09-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4713188006

## Job description

About the Team:

The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Subsea and Seabed Systems (SSS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensor and signal processing systems, including bespoke undersea vehicles to deploy those systems. We apply those products to to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-ISR applications to deliver missions success to our customers.

The Role:

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical / Ocean Engineer to develop technical solutions for complex, distributed uncrewed undersea systems—including vehicles, buoys, and ocean bottom nodes. In this role, you will work with high‑level guidance from a Principal Investigator or Chief Engineer, but own the detailed engineering: turning concepts into designs, prototypes, and fielded systems through analysis, fabrication, integration, and testing.

You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, acoustics, software, systems) to realize novel system concepts for ISR and C‑ISR missions. You’ll be expected to build and apply domain expertise, proactively suggest next steps, perform peer reviews, and contribute to reports, proposals, and presentations that capture your results and ideas.

What You Will Do:

- Develop mechanical and ocean engineering solutions for distributed uncrewed undersea systems, from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, and test
- Lead technical tasks within small, multi‑disciplinary teams, coordinating closely with electrical, acoustics, embedded systems, and power engineers to balance complex system‑level tradeoffs
- Design and analyze key undersea structures and subsystems, including:
- Pressure vessels and housings for deep‑water operation
- Hydrodynamic forms and appendages
- Thermal management and power system packaging
- Shock, vibration, stability, and control aspects
- Transducer and actuator mounting and integration
- Model, analyze, and simulate electro‑mechanical, fluid, and thermal systems using custom or commercial tools (e.g., FEA, CFD, thermal analysis) to inform design decisions and predict performance
- Contribute to the design and implementation of undersea acoustic hardware prototypes, ensuring mechanical designs support acoustic performance, reliability, and manufacturability
- Work with teammates to model and simulate advanced undersea acoustic systems across scales—from individual sensor physics to system‑level and theater‑level behavior—providing mechanical and ocean engineering insight
- Perform peer reviews and suggest next steps for ongoing research and development activities, helping shape follow‑on tasks and programs
- Support the development of best practices and capabilities for designing, producing, integrating, and testing distributed uncrewed undersea systems; identify gaps and propose approaches to address them
- Contribute to technical communications (reports, briefings, proposals, and presentations) that summarize your designs, analyses, test results, and recommendations for customers, sponsors, and internal stakeholders

Who you are:

- Ability to obtain a clearance with eligibility to support special access programs, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government
- BS with at least 5 years of relevant experience, MS with at least 3 years of relevant experience, or PhD  in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience developing mechanical/ocean engineering solutions for advanced research and development projects, preferably in undersea or harsh‑environment systems
- Strong knowledge in several of the following areas:
- Pressure vessels and deep‑water structures
- Hydrodynamics and stability of undersea vehicles and platforms
- Thermal management and power system integration
- Shock and vibration design and mitigation
- Transducers, actuators, and their mechanical integration
- Hands‑on experience progressing from concepts to fielded systems, supported by:
- Analytical modeling and simulation (including FEA or similar tools)
- Prototyping and fabrication
- Lab, pool, and/or at‑sea testing
- Ability to work with high‑level guidance and independently develop detailed technical solutions, identify risks, and propose mitigation strategies.
- Ability to survey technical literature, understand state‑of‑the‑art developments, and incorporate relevant research into current problem sets.
- Strong communication skills, including:
- Clear documentation of designs, analyses, and test results
- Contribution to technical briefings and reports for customers and senior management

Even Better:

- Active Clearance
- Experience with distributed uncrewed undersea systems (UUVs, buoys, ocean bottom nodes) and their mechanical/ocean engineering challenges
- Familiarity with acoustic systems and how mechanical design impacts acoustic performance and noise control
- Experience working in multi‑disciplinary R&D teams, collaborating across mechanical, electrical, acoustics, and software disciplines
- Prior interaction with U.S. Government or defense customers, and understanding of how mission needs translate into engineering requirements
- Experience supporting proposal development, including providing technical input, estimates, and risk assessments

This Senior role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys owning challenging mechanical and ocean engineering problems, collaborating across disciplines, and turning advanced concepts into robust undersea systems.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of groundbreaking undersea robotic and sensing systems that will shape the future of maritime autonomy. You will work alongside a passionate and talented team, tackling some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in the field. If you are a visionary roboticist with a drive to innovate and lead, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and help us redefine what’s possible beneath the waves.

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $135,000 - $160,000

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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