Senior Underwater Sensors Engineer

The Maritime and Acoustics Department in MITRE's Signals and Electronics Division is a cross-domain team of engineers and scientists working at the intersection of underwater acoustics, HF propagation, sonar analysis, acoustic communications, and prototype sensing systems. We work on some of the most technically demanding problems in undersea and maritime defense, designing and testing prototype systems, developing propagation models and sensing algorithms, and advancing acoustic communications for contested environments, all in direct support of government sponsors with real-world mission impact. Our work spans physics-based modeling and algorithm development, hands-on hardware prototyping and evaluation in the BlueTech Lab, and field testing of systems in operational environments.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Senior Underwater Sensors Engineer to help advance maritime capabilities that address critical government mission needs in support of national maritime public sector and defense priorities. You will contribute to and lead multidisciplinary technical efforts spanning algorithm development, modeling and simulation, data analysis, rapid prototyping, system integration, laboratory evaluation, and field testing. You will apply your experience and technical judgment to define challenging undersea and maritime problems, assess engineering tradeoffs, and translate this work into capabilities and recommendations that help government sponsors advance the development, evaluation, and deployment of maritime systems. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in applied mathematics, physics, and engineering and a demonstrated ability to apply their knowledge to open-ended technical problems. Relevant professional, research, or project experience may include signal processing, detection and estimation, communications, sensing, wave propagation, or related technical areas.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and evaluate signal processing algorithms for underwater sensing and acoustic communication systems
• Conduct physics-based and empirical modeling of acoustic propagation and undersea sensor system performance
• Develop and integrate sensor, communication, and embedded-system prototypes, advancing hardware and software from concept through laboratory and field evaluation
• Plan and execute field testing and BlueTech Lab evaluations, translating test results into actionable findings for government sponsors
• Contribute to the design of transducers and acoustic sensors for small form-factor and autonomous underwater system applications
• Analyze complex, multi-dimensional maritime datasets and develop defensible technical recommendations
• Support sponsor engagement by communicating technical findings, informing research and development priorities, and responding to emerging mission needs
• Contribute to multidisciplinary teams and lead defined technical efforts across sonar analysis, wave propagation, acoustic communications, and maritime sensing

Basic Qualifications:

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 3 years and a master's or a PhD with relevant experience who can immediately contribute; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Strong foundation in applied mathematics, physics, and engineering, with demonstrated experience applying quantitative methods to technical problems through professional work, research, or technical projects in one or more relevant areas, such as signal processing; algorithm development; detection and estimation; wave propagation; numerical methods; modeling and simulation; experimental data analysis; or prototype development and evaluation
• Experience using MATLAB, Python, or comparable analytical tools to develop models, implement algorithms, or analyze physical systems and experimental data
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and ability to communicate technical approaches and results clearly
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
• Experience in one or more underwater-domain areas, such as underwater acoustics, sonar signal processing, acoustic communications, acoustic propagation modeling, or transducer and acoustic sensor development
• Experience developing or integrating sensor, communication, or embedded-system prototypes for maritime applications
• Experience planning, conducting, or analyzing laboratory or field tests of maritime sensors, communication systems, or related technologies
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical work and foster effective collaboration across organizations and engineering disciplines

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.