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Principal Research Engineer

SRI International
San Diego, CA Remote Full Time
POSTED ON 4/19/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/13/2027

Overview

SRI International is a pioneering research institute with a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products, and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.

 

The Surveillance Laboratory in the Advanced Technology and Systems Division is looking to hire a visionary Principal Research Engineer to create and grow new research domains in areas such as integrating AIML (Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning) and remote sensing. This candidate will have a strong desire to develop large scale programs, collaborate across labs and Divisions, and build teams to deliver on these programs.

Responsibilities

  • Create and implement a compelling vision that will drive growth and develop new capabilities.
  • Identify opportunities and lead the development of proposals for new and follow-on R&D projects for government and commercial clients
  • Conduct project-oriented oral presentations, writing technical reports, communicating with peers, supervisors, and clients.
  • Travel to conferences, meetings, and project sites.
  • Drive collaboration across SRI labs and divisions externally
  • Grow and motivate teams

Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
  • Deep technical expertise in remote sensing
  • Versatile researcher who works best in a team environment and has a strong motivation for bridging their area of expertise with other domains such as networking, machine learning, radar, quantum sensing and networking, and communications
  • Have a proven track record of significant research contributions and delivery of solutions in the areas that include innovative remote sensing technologies
  • Strong network and credibility within the eco-system including customers and collaborators
  • Ability to lead and motivate teams
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are required
  • PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering
  • Knowledge and understanding of client needs, government and/or commercial
  • Demonstrated skills in senior leadership of technical efforts
  • Ability to travel to conferences, meetings, and project sites as needed

The salary range is: $166,900-$248,265. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.

Salary : $166,900 - $248,265

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