Principal Investigator for Undersea Systems

STR, Woburn, MA +1

The role

We are seeking a Principal Investigator (PI) to lead cutting‑edge research and development in advanced undersea sensing and robotic systems. This role is ideal for a technical leader who can originate innovative concepts, shape them into compelling customer‑focused proposals, architect and plan complex programs, and drive execution from initial idea through successful at‑sea demonstration.

You will set the technical vision and lead multidisciplinary teams working on next‑generation Counter‑Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (C‑UUV) technologies, acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing, noise control, undersea robotics, and other advanced undersea systems. You will engage directly with U.S. Government and industry partners, define new capabilities, and deliver operationally relevant solutions.

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

The team

What you need

Active clearance with special access eligibility, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government
Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Acoustics, Robotics, or a closely related field, and substantial experience (typically 5-12+ years depending on degree) in undersea systems, sensing, or robotics; or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience as a technical lead on a complex R&D program, preferably in undersea or maritime domains
Deep hands‑on experience in at least one core area:
- Acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing
Counter‑UUV or undersea defense systems
Undersea robotics and autonomy
Noise control / signature management for undersea platforms
Proven ability to:
Develop innovative technical concepts and architectures
Write and win competitive proposals or lead major technical captures
Plan and manage technical execution for multidisciplinary teams
Strong systems‑engineering mindset, including requirements development, architecture definition, trade studies, and verification/validation
Practical familiarity with embedded systems and real‑time control (e.g., microcontrollers, FPGAs, SBCs) and their role in undersea platforms and sensing systems
Experience with modeling, simulation, or analytical tools to set and assess performance expectations for UUVs or sensor systems
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior stakeholders and customers

Even Better

Experience with non-linear acoustics including parametric acoustic arrays is highly desirable
Prior experience as a Principal Investigator or Chief Engineer on undersea robotics, UUV, advanced sensing, or complex R&D programs
Experience designing electronics and systems for marine or other harsh environments (pressure, corrosion, moisture, vibration)
Familiarity with robotic and autonomy frameworks (e.g., ROS, MOOS‑IvP, UMAA) and their integration with vehicle electronics and sensing systems
Experience with advanced acoustic signal processing including array processing, detection, classification, localization, and tracking
Background in control systems, sensor fusion, and their implications for hardware design, timing, and system architecture
Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) test setups, system‑level simulation, and at‑sea test campaigns, including deployment, operation, and recovery
Experience interacting with the U.S. Navy or other U.S. Government organizations, including classified or special access programs
Active Top Secret security clearance and prior special access program experience
Experience with agile development methodologies and modern configuration management (e.g., Git) for hardware, firmware, and analysis tools

This role is suited for a technical leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, customer engagement, and hands‑on engineering, and who wants to shape the next generation of undersea sensing and robotic capabilities.

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.

Principal Investigator for Undersea Systems

The role

The team

Principal Investigator for Undersea Systems

The role

The team

What you need

Even Better

Technical Leadership & Vision

Innovation, Capture, and Customer Engagement

Program Execution & Team Leadership

Technical Execution (Domain Expertise)

Pay and benefits

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