Lead Software Engineer

STR
Arlington, VA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior software engineers with AI/ML expertise who thrive in national security projects and can lead integration of complex systems. The role emphasizes collaboration in high-stakes environments and requires on-site presence in specific U.S. locations.

Best fit for

  • Senior software engineers with AI/ML expertise and a track record of leading prototype development to operational deployment
    — “Experienced in leading and directing research initiatives from inception to functional prototypes”
  • Candidates with strong Python skills and experience in real-time data workflows and distributed systems
    — “Build, maintain, and test messaging systems, such as real-time data workflows and distributed processing pipelines”
  • Individuals who have worked on U.S. Government projects and understand software accreditation processes
    — “Experience working in a large cross-functional, distributed team”

Things to consider

  • On-site presence is required in one of three U.S. locations, which may impact relocation plans
    — “the ability to work on-site in one of our Dayton, OH, Woburn, MA, or Arlington, VA locations”
  • U.S. citizenship is mandatory due to the need for a security clearance
    — “the ability to obtain a security clearance, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with Python-based ML pipelines and their integration into complex systems
    — “integrate Python-based machine learning pipelines with complex systems”
  • Emphasize leadership in translating stakeholder requirements into deployable AI/ML solutions
    — “Translate stakeholder requirements into system features and components in a deployable AI/ML solutions stack”
  • Showcase knowledge of computer vision tools like PyTorch or OpenCV in your project examples
    — “integration of computer vision algorithms and image processing tools (e.g., Pytorch, OpenCV, ffmpeg)”
  • Demonstrate your ability to optimize data pipelines for ingestion and storage
    — “Optimize software for data ingestion, transformation, and intelligent storage/retrieval pipelines”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • operationalize advanced algorithms
  • develop robust backend architectures
  • build and maintain messaging systems
Typical background
BS Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or Physics

Skills & requirements

Required

PythonMachine LearningComputer VisionSoftware DevelopmentSystem IntegrationMessaging PipelinesDistributed Systems

Preferred

GoJavaC++

Stack & domain

PythonMachine LearningComputer VisionBiometricsTarget RecognitionAutonomous AgentsDeep LearningStatistical TechniquesSystems IntegrationRobust Application DevelopmentMessaging PipelinesCollaborationProblem-solvingCommunicationTeamworkLeadershipNational SecurityIntelligenceFinanceHealthcare

About the role

Original posting from STR via Greenhouse

Are you driven to build cutting edge solutions for the nation’s technology needs?

At STR, we’re developing advanced capabilities that create a lasting impact on national security, gaining an edge on the unseen adversary through technology dominance.

About the Team:

STR’s Intelligence Division researches and develops advanced analytics and software solutions to solve challenging problems relevant to national security. Our team specializes in applying cutting-edge machine learning and computer vision in areas such as biometrics, target recognition and autonomous agents to solve national security and intelligence problems. We tackle complex technical challenges under stringent operational constraints by leveraging diverse skill sets from fields such as engineering, computer science, and applied machine learning.

Our projects focus on a wide range of data modalities—including biometric data, video imagery, geospatial, and radio-frequency data—powered by the latest advances in deep learning and statistical techniques. Our solutions have real-world impact, allowing U.S. Government analysts and operators to extract and enrich intelligence information across the globe. If you’re motivated by making a difference while working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment and have experience with systems integration, robust application development, and messaging pipelines, we’d like to hear from you.

The Role:

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will use your software development expertise to operationalize advanced algorithms across a broad range of computer vision programs. You will integrate Python-based machine learning pipelines with complex systems and ensure they are resilient, maintainable, and user-focused.

Collaborating closely with project leads and customers, you will:

Translate stakeholder requirements into system features and components in a deployable AI/ML solutions stack

Develop new user-facing features and implement robust backend architectures to support them.

Build, maintain, and test messaging systems, such as real-time data workflows and distributed processing pipelines.

Optimize software for data ingestion, transformation, and intelligent storage/retrieval pipelines.

Maintain and improve workflows for distributed systems, ensuring reliability and performance testing in operational environments.

Participate in cross-program collaboration, adapting to diverse projects and tools.

Our work involves projects of national significance, and the ability to work on-site in one of our Dayton, OH, Woburn, MA, or Arlington, VA locations (depending on candidate preference) will be required.

Who you are:

Motivated collaborator who takes pride in the craftsmanship of their solutions and demonstrates strong ownership throughout the lifecycle of development

Ability to implement and evaluate novel prototype solutions, and work with a team to mature promising prototypes into operational capabilities

Strong proficiency in python and demonstrated ability to generate clean, high quality code both with and without coding tools

Familiarity with software development best practices, including version control (Git), testing at scale (CI/CD), and agentic coding best practices

BS Degree in a scientific field such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or Physics with 8+ years of relevant experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Ability to obtain a security clearance, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government

Even Better

Development experience with advanced messaging or real-time processing tools like RabbitMQ, Kafka, or ZeroMQ

Experience with integration of computer vision algorithms and image processing tools (e.g., Pytorch, OpenCV, ffmpeg)

Experienced in leading and directing research initiatives from inception to functional prototypes

Experience working in a large cross-functional, distributed team

Experience with US Government software accreditation processes

Active security clearance

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000

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 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.

Source: STR careers (Greenhouse)

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