Senior Electrical Engineer – Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems

Key Responsibilities

• Lead R&D initiatives in maritime acoustic sensing and underwater signal systems for autonomous vessel applications.
• Evaluate and benchmark acoustic sensors and subsystems (e.g., sonar arrays, hydrophones, acoustic modems, Doppler sensors) across commercial and defense-grade offerings.
• Design and execute experiments for acoustic performance testing, calibration, and environmental validation in laboratory and sea-trial conditions.
• Develop and analyze trade studies comparing acoustic hardware and architectures to inform system selection, performance optimization, and integration paths.
• Design and document system architectures for acoustic data acquisition, amplification, filtering, and digital conversion.
• Collaborate with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to integrate acoustic systems into vessel control and perception frameworks.
• Develop and validate signal conditioning and analog front-end circuitry for low-noise, high-fidelity acoustic measurements.
• Author detailed R&D documentation, including test reports, design specifications, and performance assessments.
• Contribute to system safety, reliability, and environmental qualification efforts, including compliance with applicable maritime and defense standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to Saronic’s acoustic sensing roadmap and experimental methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in acoustic system design, integration, or testing - preferably in commercial marine, defense, or undersea applications.
• Expertise with underwater acoustics, including sonar, hydrophones, and acoustic communication systems.
• Experience in hardware benchmarking, R&D testing, and performance analysis of acoustic sensors and electronics.
• Strong understanding of signal processing concepts, analog front-end design, and data acquisition systems.
• Familiarity with marine environmental factors affecting acoustic propagation (temperature, salinity, depth, and noise).
• Proficiency in schematic design and documentation tools (e.g., Altium, AutoCAD Electrical, or SolidWorks Electrical).
• Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data loggers, acoustic test equipment).
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills, with ability to produce rigorous R&D and evaluation documentation.
• Comfortable working in laboratory, dockside, and sea-trial environments.