Chief Scientist

STR • Arlington, VA

8d

About The Position

About the Team: The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. Within this role, we perform work on full system prototypes, experiment campaigns and technology component development. The Optical & Novel Sensing (ONS) Group within the Sensors Division pursues research in optical and physics-based sensing, in collaboration with STR experts across multiple domains (space, undersea, air) to produce advanced warfighter and intelligence capabilities. Our main customer focus is on Department of War and Intelligence Community research and development programs, with work spanning concept formulation through validation prototyping. The Role: The ONS Group is seeking a Chief Scientist with expertise in optical concepts, technologies, processing, and systems to provide technical solutions and leadership in response to customer needs. We expect this person to formulate, market, and lead new compelling active and passive sensing/counter-sensing optical programs that meaningfully impact our national security posture. A successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in optics-based solutions, spanning fundamental theory, modeling & simulation, design & fabrication, and test & evaluation. A preferred applicant will have a broad understanding of physics and processing to be able to address complimentary technologies such as RF and acoustics as they may fuse with optical capabilities.

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Sciences/Engineering, Physics, or related fields in Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• 15+ years of practical experience in optical sensing as it relates to modeling & simulation, processing exploitations, optical systems, and laboratory/field testing.
• Eagerness and curiosity to explore new and novel concepts to advance optical capabilities beyond SOA for improved warfighter capabilities.
• Demonstrated success in formulating, marketing, and proposing optical solutions for national security problems.
• Experience in sensing and processing across the optical spectrum (UV through LWIR) with understanding of the limiting physics and the SOA in sensing within each band.
• Experience across all aspects of R&D, including concept formulation & theory, modeling & simulation, design development & implementation, and validation testing (TRL 5-6) of active and/or passive optical technologies.
• This position requires an active Top-Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of additional ISR phenomenology, principles, and signal capture methods (e.g. RF, acoustic), especially as they relate to fusion with EO/IR

Responsibilities

• Technical developer and champion of innovative optical concepts that lead to successful proposals and programs to solve relevant national security problems.
• Technical leadership, direction, and mentoring in areas or optical sensing, signal processing, and laboratory/field testing.
• Lead teams to design, develop, implement, test, and analyze solutions, leveraging skills across multiple STR locations.
• Provide clear and persuasive technical justification for new capabilities to existing and potential customers.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for specific customers and offices, developing into a trusted advisor on technical matters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees