Acoustic Research Scientist

SeaLandAire Technologies in Jackson, Michigan is looking for an Acoustic Research Scientist. The position requires an experienced acoustic research scientist, preferably with significant knowledge of underwater acoustic science. This position will contribute significantly to SeaLandAire’s advanced acoustic sensing capabilities and will help lead the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) community by defining and developing ASW technology. You will join our team of subject matter experts in the field of underwater sensing and sonification systems.

SeaLandAire provides engineering services for data collection applications in difficult environments. We design, develop, and build products tailored to help our customers collect information from any environment. Our work focuses on designing the sensor system, delivering the sensor package to the environment, and getting the data out. The job is fast paced and requires working with top engineers, customers, technicians, and support staff.

The Acoustic Research Scientist performs duties in design, development, and testing of underwater acoustic transducers including hydrophones and projectors in a research and development atmosphere. The position combines elements of mechanical, electrical, and acoustic engineering. The candidate shall have the ability to design test scenarios, analyze test data, and assess compliance with respect to the overall system requirements. The ideal candidate will have expertise in frequency and time domain signal processing, beamforming, filtering, noise analysis, statistical analysis, and sonar processing methodologies for both passive and active systems.

Essential Functions*

• Interface with SeaLandAire (SLA) project teams and customers during requirements definition, project feasibility assessment, and acoustic performance verification

• Collaborate across teams to design and develop acoustic transducers to meet performance requirements

• Maintain knowledge of current transducer technology and provide analysis of various design trades

• Design and execute tests to characterize and validate the performance of acoustic systems

• Write and/or contribute to proposals, test reports, and status updates

• Analyze test data to quickly summarize the system performance of acoustic transducers

• Interface with System, Mechanical, Electrical Engineers and CAD Design Groups effectively

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have department or company supervisory responsibilities. However, supervision within projects may be expected and could include planning, organizing, assigning, and overseeing the technical work of other engineers and technicians while communicating regularly with the Project Managers / Project Engineers.

Core Competencies

Successful applicants should exhibit the following capabilities and traits:

• Knowledge of underwater acoustics

• Experience with signal analysis

• Understanding of line arrays and beamforming

• Understand piezoelectric ceramic material properties and applications of these materials in electro-mechanical transducers

• Knowledge of ceramic hydrophone pre-amp design

• Understanding of hydrophone noise sources

• Experience with direction of arrival (DOA) acoustic processing

• Experience with Design/Prototype/Validate cycle

• Experience with multiphysics simulation software, preferably COMSOL

• Experience utilizing Python to analyze data and assess performance

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is an onsite, full-time position, with a minimum expectation of 40 hours per week. Hours are somewhat flexible, and occasional late evenings may be required.

Travel

Some travel is expected for field testing, vendor selections, and customer interface.

Education and Experience

A PhD is preferred, but a Master's degree in a relevant field with at least 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Requirements

• Since a majority of SeaLandAire's business is funded by the US Department of Defense, applicants must be a "US Person" (US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident).

• A background check will be conducted for employment purposes.

• A US government security clearance is not required but is very helpful. Employees may be required to obtain a security clearance and SeaLandAire will sponsor the process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SeaLandAire Technologies is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. SeaLandAire makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.