Undersea Robotics Electrical Engineer

Systemstechnologyresearch; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

STR is a growing technology company with multiple U.S. locations, pursuing advanced undersea robotics and sensing capabilities for defense and maritime applications.

We seek an Electrical Engineer to design, develop, and implement electrical systems for next‑generation uncrewed undersea vehicles and sensor payloads. You will collaborate with motor/mechanical and software teams, bringing boards from concept through bring‑up, test, and at‑sea deployments while ensuring reliability and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field with hands‑on electronics experience.
• Experience designing and testing analog and digital circuits, including schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Familiarity with embedded systems and real‑time control applications.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship).
• Strong hands‑on hardware debugging and lab testing skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and document analog and digital circuitry for uncrewed undersea vehicles, including power distribution, signal conditioning, and sensor integration.
• Develop and lay out PCBs, select components, capture schematics, and prepare fabrication/assembly packages.
• Bring up new boards and modules: bench test, debug hardware issues, iterate designs based on results.
• Interface sensors with vehicle processors and control systems.
• Work with software engineers to define hardware‑software interfaces and ensure real‑time operation.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers for packaging, environmental protection, and thermal management.
• Support hardware‑in‑the‑loop and sea testing; document test results and maintain design records.
• Develop system‑level requirements and electrical architectures for undersea vehicles and payloads.

Skills

Analog & digital design

Embedded systems

Hardware debugging

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Programming (C/C++, Python)

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Multimeter/Bench test gear

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 an Electrical Engineer with a strong interest and some experience in undersea robotics to design, develop, and implement the electrical systems that enable next‑generation uncrewed undersea vehicles, sensor systems, and command and control (C2) systems. In this role, you will be the responsible for the full range of development for electrical systems in our products: from board‑level design and sensor integration through bring‑up, test, and support in the lab and at sea.

You will work closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineers as well as other electrical engineers. An ideal candidate would have exposure to control systems, embedded software, mechanical engineering as undersea vehicle and system design is inherently multi-disciplinary. Ideal candidates are hands‑on engineers who are comfortable with analog and digital circuit design, can take a circuit board from concept through fabrication, and are adept at troubleshooting and resolving hardware issues.

Candidates with more experience are welcome and will be considered for greater responsibility, but the position is intended for an engineer early in their career who has solid, practical experience with electronics.

What you will do:

• Design, implement, and document analog and digital circuitry for uncrewed undersea vehicles, including power distribution, signal conditioning, communications interfaces, and sensor integration
• Develop and lay out printed circuit boards (PCBs), including component selection, schematic capture, layout, and preparation of fabrication and assembly packages
• Bring up new boards and electronic modules: perform bench testing, debug hardware issues, and iterate designs based on test results and field feedback
• Integrate and interface onboard sensors (e.g., IMUs, depth sensors, navigation systems, acoustic sensors) with vehicle processors and control systems
• Work with embedded software engineers to define hardware‑software interfaces, support driver development, and ensure reliable real‑time operation
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers to ensure proper packaging, environmental protection, thermal management, and compliance with undersea operational requirements
• Support hardware‑in‑the‑loop and system‑level testing in lab, pool, and at‑sea environments, including preparation, operation, and troubleshooting of vehicle electronics
• Contribute to the development of system‑level requirements and electrical architectures for novel undersea vehicles and sensor payloads
• Maintain design records, test reports, and configuration documentation to support the full lifecycle of undersea vehicle electrical systems
• Stay current with relevant technologies in electronics, embedded systems, and undersea robotics, and apply them to improve reliability, performance, and manufacturability

Who you are:

• Ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance with eligibility to support special access programs, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field with at least 2 years of relevant hands‑on experience, or a Master’s degree in one of these fields with significant practical experience in electronics design and debug
• Practical experience designing and testing analog and digital circuits, including
  • Schematic capture and PCB layout using common EDA tool
  • Board bring‑up, lab testing, and hardware debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related equipment.

• Familiarity with embedded systems and real‑time control applications (e.g., microcontrollers, single‑board computers, FPGAs, or similar platforms)
• Experience integrating sensors and actuators into electronic systems, including understanding of signal integrity, noise mitigation, and power considerations
• Basic proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used in embedded or robotics applications (e.g., C/C++, Python) sufficient to interact productively with software teams and perform simple test and diagnostic scripts
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and communicate clearly about electrical design decisions, trade‑offs, and limitations
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a hands‑on approach to prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting

Even Better:

• Experience designing electronics specifically for marine or harsh environments (pressure, corrosion, moisture, vibration) or other rugged applications
• Exposure to robotic frameworks such as ROS, MOOS‑IvP, UMAA, or similar platforms, and an understanding of how vehicle electronics support autonomy and control
• Familiarity with control systems, sensor fusion concepts, and their implications for hardware design and timing
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) test setups and system‑level simulation
• Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems (e.g., Git) for managing design files, firmware, and test scripts
• Experience setting performance expectations for advanced or novel UUV designs or sensor systems using modeling, simulation, or analytical tools
• Experience interacting with U.S. Navy or other U.S. Government organizations, or supporting at‑sea test events including system deployment, operation, and recovery
• Active Top Secret security clearance
• Prior special access program experience

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.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $111,000 - $140,000

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.

STRis 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.

STRis 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 [e-mail] 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.