Overview

Engineers in the Ship Signatures Department are responsible for ensuring that the ship's components, systems and structures are designed and built to meet a submarine's challenging radiated noise requirements.

There are five major functional areas in Ship Signatures:

Ship Signatures Structural Acoustics

Ship Signatures Structural Acoustics groups are responsible for performing detailed analyses of the dynamic behavior of submarine structures using finite element, boundary element and statistical energy analysis techniques. The analyses are performed using state-of-the-art computer models which run on an extensive network of workstations. Knowledge of finite element or statistical energy analysis, submarine structural design tenets, dynamics and vibrations is useful for these positions.

Ship Signatures Systems and Components

Ship Signatures Systems and Components engineers evaluate submarine systems and components, and develop noise control features to ensure the ship's radiated noise requirements will be satisfied. Acoustic and vibration testing is performed on submarines at sea, in port, at vendor facilities, and in government laboratories to support the system and structural acoustic design work. System and component engineers collaborate continually with component and system engineers as well as Design-Build-Sustain teams.

Advanced Concepts and Noise Control

Ship Signatures engineers working in the Advanced Concepts and Noise Control group are involved in research to extend the state-of-the-art in advanced noise control technology and acoustic analysis methods, and to develop concepts for noise control of current and future submarine designs. Engineers in this group have knowledge in the areas of finite element and boundary element analysis, structures, electronic instrumentation and measurements, electronic component design, acoustic theory, signal processing, and system engineering, among others.

Arrays, Treatments and Hydro acoustics

The Arrays, Treatments and Hydro acoustics groups are responsible for prediction and control of noise generated by hydrodynamic flow, for designing and evaluating performance of treatments, integrating hull arrays into the ship, and designing noise control solutions for flow exposed structures. The engineers work closely with government laboratories to design, analyze, test and validate noise control solutions. The group also develops, implements, and validates novel numerical modeling methods using finite element analysis.

Acoustic Test Programs

The Acoustic Test Programs group is responsible for the acoustic test and optimization of acoustic system performance on new construction and commissioned submarines. Work includes setup and performance of acoustic testing of the fully constructed ship at sea, data evaluation, diagnostic investigation and reporting.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 4 years of related experience in Engineering, Acoustics, or Data Analysis
• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil (Structural) Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Acoustics, or Physics 
• An active SECRET clearance, or ability to obtain a SECRET clearance 
• Internal candidates must be from organizations outside of operations (Gildart/Gabriel)

Preferred:

• 6 or more years of Engineering experience
• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil (Structural) Engineering, Ocean Engineering or Physics
• Experience or interest in structural engineering, fluid systems engineering, signal processing, testing and data acquisition and technical report writing
• Course work or experience in dynamics, acoustics or vibrations 

Skills

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, are necessary for success as a ship signatures engineer. Developing productive relationships with internal and external customers, which may include collaborating engineering organizations, construction staff, government contractors and the Navy customer is key.