Senior Underwater Sensors Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Underwater Sensors Engineer to contribute across research and development, modeling and simulation, rapid prototyping, and testing and evaluation in support of national maritime defense priorities. Desired backgrounds span acoustic communications, maritime sensing, and oceanography, as well as electrical, computer, mechanical, or ocean engineering disciplines with a foundation in signals, systems, or applied physics. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical leadership in their established areas of expertise, while also being confident contributing to and leading work across domains.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop signal processing algorithms for underwater sensing and acoustic communication systems
• Conduct physics-based and empirical modeling of acoustic propagation and undersea sensor system performance
• Rapidly prototype sensors, communication platforms, and embedded underwater systems, advancing hardware from concept through field-ready integration
• 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 deliver clear, defensible recommendations that sponsors can act on
• Support sponsor engagement by communicating technical findings, shaping research directions, and responding to emerging mission needs
• Collaborate across department technical domains including sonar analysis, multi-domain wave propagation, and acoustic communication and sensing

Requirements

• 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
• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
• Strong technical background with experience in one or more of the following: acoustic, radar, and/or sonar signal processing, algorithm development, detection and estimation theory, wave propagation, numerical methods, experimental data analysis, prototype development, and/or communication theory
• Experience using analytical software tools such as MATLAB or Python for modeling, simulation, and analysis of physical systems
• Active Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain within one year from the date of hire)
• U.S. Citizenship (per U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements for a clearance)
• Minimum of 50% hybrid on-site work

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
• Expertise in acoustic, radar, and sonar signal processing, and prototype development
• Experience with field testing of maritime devices
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with internal and external parties
• Experience with US government systems and US government research ecosystem
• External network of government sponsors and contacts
• Proactive self-starter with strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills

About MITRE

MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. Our workplace reflects our values, offering competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership.

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.

Pay

Salary compensation range: $126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 (annual)

Schedule

Hybrid work location type