Job Description

STR’s  Cyber Division  is hiring a  Principal Cyber RF Hardware Engineer who will leverage their RF, analog/mixed signal and digital design skills to contribute to a multi-disciplinary team engaged in solving unique problems. The successful candidate will be comfortable designing, analyzing, and characterizing a variety of hardware architectures to aid with software and hardware modeling efforts. They should have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of computer architecture to support both software and hardware reverse engineering tasks and be able to use their hardware expertise to rapidly prototype solutions.

We are seeking candidates with design experience to participate in the development of RF Hardware in the Loop (HWIL) systems, surrogate builds, digital twins, and hardware modeling support platforms that integrate a variety of electrical subsystems, ranging from commercial off the shelf (COTS) components to custom-designed boards. The successful candidate will contribute to the design process of a growing hardware team by participating in design reviews, producing comprehensive design documentation, and collaborating to ensure quality outputs and support for future design re-use.

What you will do:

• Develop rapid prototype RF solutions to go from free space to bits using a combination of COTS and custom designs


• Develop PCB-based designs and implement FPGA and embedded software to support HWIL and surrogate designs


• Integrate processor/microcontroller debuggers to extract binary data and integrate in circuit probing solutions to characterize dynamic program execution


• Work in a laboratory environment utilizing test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs etc.) to characterize and debug complex electronic systems


• Prepare and execute test events for customers and internal and external stakeholders


• Lead efforts to develop lab-based acquisition and control platforms to aid in test and characterization of hardware systems


• Serve as the hardware team representative on interdisciplinary efforts to contribute knowledge of system architecture and focused processor implementations


• Participate in proposal efforts by providing input on technical path and BOM/cost and schedule estimates

Who you are:

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government


• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 10 years of related experience OR a MS and 8 years


• Proven expertise of electrical circuit design principles in at least one of the following areas: RF, analog, or digital


• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to mentor junior engineering staff


• Experience preparing and presenting technical material to customers and internal staff


• Experience leading hardware efforts from concept to implementation managing cost and scheduling requirements

Nice to Haves:

• Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance


• Strong RF design or implementation background with experience in system analysis and component characterization


• Experience in RF design, signal processing for satellite or space communications


• Experience in RF design, signal processing for airborne or space remote sensing


• Experience architecting RF hardware solutions and leading RF hardware teams for laboratory and test event environments


• Experience integrating software defined radios and RFSOC platforms


• Experience with Analog and RF circuit simulation and modeling tools (e.g., Spice, MATLAB/Simulink, Microwave Office)


• In depth knowledge of processor architectures and peripherals with experience integrating in-circuit debuggers and emulators


• Experience using and developing tools and test software for Linux (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu)


• Knowledge of PCB design and fabrication principles and familiarity with industry standard CAD tools (e.g., Cadence, Altium, Eagle)


• Digital/FPGA HDL experience using dedicated design tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Simulink/HDL Coder)

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. 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 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.

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