Software Development Apprentice Jobs in Columbia, MD

About the Team:

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security requirements. Our particular focus areas include airborne/spaceborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. To support these missions, the Division's efforts span multiple technical areas, including RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, systems analysis, and real-time embedded processor implementation.

The Algorithms, Processing and Experimentation (APEX) Group specializes in development of RF/radar modes, skills and applications, with particular emphasis on advanced signal processing chains and associated algorithm research. We mature these technologies with the objective of implementation, integration, and eventual utility in RF-based systems, typically tailoring our work for highly specific Defense (e.g., Air Force, Space Force, Navy, DARPA, etc.) and Intelligence Community needs.

About the Role:

As a Senior Algorithm and Signal Processing Engineer, you will develop, implement, test, and demonstrate novel signal processing, optimization, and machine learning algorithms for advanced electronic warfare, radar, and remote sensing applications. You will work as part of multidisciplinary teams to research next-generation sensing concepts and transition advanced algorithms into integrated systems for laboratory and field demonstrations.

A successful candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following areas: signal processing, adaptive radar signal processing, optimization, machine learning, electronic warfare, algorithm development, radar systems, communications systems, RF remote sensing, resource management, modeling and simulation, or related technical fields. This position requires strong analytical skills, scientific programming experience, and the ability to collaborate with researchers, engineers, and customers to solve challenging technical problems.

What You Will Do

• Develop advanced sensing concepts, signal processing algorithms, and machine learning techniques for radar, electronic warfare, and remote sensing applications
• Research, design, implement, and evaluate novel algorithms from concept through demonstration
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to architect, develop, integrate, and test advanced RF signal processing systems
• Support modeling and simulation activities to evaluate algorithm performance and inform system design
• Plan and execute laboratory and field testing to assess algorithm performance and transition research into operational prototypes.
• Contribute to technical proposals, customer interactions, presentations, and technical briefings
• Survey emerging research and incorporate state-of-the-art techniques into practical algorithm solutions.

Who You Are

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required by the U.S. government
• PhD, MS, or BS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline with 2-5+ years relevant experience
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar scientific computing languages
• Strong mathematical, analytical, troubleshooting, written, and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing, implementing, testing, or analyzing signal processing, optimization, or machine learning algorithms
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to translate research objectives and customer needs into practical technical solutions

Even Better

• Active Top Secret security clearance
• Experience with radar systems, RF remote sensing, electronic warfare, or communications systems
• Experience with adaptive signal processing, waveform design, multidimensional signal processing, resource management, or system optimization
• Experience developing algorithms for real-time or embedded systems
• Experience with modeling and simulation, algorithm integration, and system test and evaluation
• Experience with software development and scientific computing workflows
• Ability to survey technical literature, identify emerging approaches, and transition research into integrated, tested solutions

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $139,000 - $170,000

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.