Principal Acoustic Engineer

Principal Acoustic Engineer
As part of the engineering team, the role holder will contribute to the design and development of advanced acoustic system for marine application.
Working in a matrix engineering organisation, you will simultaneously be a member of the core technology development and product delivery teams, with a key scientific focus. As a senior member of the engineering team, you will be influencing strategy, tools and technology road maps.
You will be challenged as the technical UK lead for acoustic transducer and array design to maximise acoustic performance for Doppler velocity sensing, positioning, imaging and communications.
The role is technology focused, but you will need to influence peers and the executive team to ensure innovation that provides superior customer value whilst driving a well-developed sense of keeping designs simple to achieve reliable solutions.
Responsibilities
Developing with the other technology stakeholder acoustic solutions for DVL, ADCP, CVL, MBES, SS imaging, LBL, USBL and communication transducers and arrays.
Modelling and data analysis to understand transducer/array performance
Evaluating new materials and technologies, along with novel algorithms and signals.
Collaboration with group companies to provide integrated solutions.
Close co-operation with hardware designer, software developer and analysts.
A broad understanding of navigation and positioning system to help steer technology developments.
Partner closely with other members across engineering to enable the fusion or our hardware and software with a focus on customer value, usability and system level performance.
Mentor and guide other team members.
Transducer technology and manufacturing methodologies horizon scanning
Co-operate with key customer at a senior technical level.
Identify and evaluate external technology partners and providers
Day to day:
Develop FE models for concept transducer development.
Validate model through prototype builds and in-water tank experiments.
Understand material properties at elevate pressure and temperatures
Steer and align developments that are to be delivered by multiple engineers
Identify where existing technologies can reused
Define and document testing methods and teach others how to test effectively
Working to investigate challenging and complex problems, both in assistance to more junior members and directly with customers
Attend daily stand-ups
Attend sprint planning sessions
Attend planning meetings providing estimates and support for project managers
Attend retrospectives, provide suggestions on how to improve delivery.
Assist the testing if issues are found and provide guidance for targeted testing.
Assist production to streamline production processes to provide high quality repeatable products
Occasional:
Testing & trials in Plymouth/Houston and at customer sites
Present capabilities or developments at technology reviews or engineering events
Represent my client on a technical basis alongside management/ sales/ business development to a customer.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills, knowledge and experience:
The mechanical / electronic / software / firmware teams comprise many different skill sets focused around different areas of technologies.
Core sets are:
MATLAB / Julia
C / C++ / Rust coding
Simulation and development/test tools (C++/C#/.Net)
FE PZFlex
Inventor (CAD)
Python
Embedded Linux (RT patch)
Electronics and PCB design
Essential:
Previous experience in acoustic transducer/array design, material science, Finite Element (FE) modelling and validation of models through scientific testing.
Ability to develop novel algorithms
A broad understanding of acoustic propagation from a few hundred Hz through to several MHz is required for a range of acoustic sensing technologies
Deep understanding of material and piezoelectric ceramics
Strong analytical skills including math.
Degree in core Science or Mathematics
Desirable:
Prior knowledge, experience and/or interest in several of the following: PZT, Lead Titanate, single crystal, composite arrays, matching material, DVL, ADCP, USBL, LBL, CVL, signal design, correlation methods, digital filtering, analogue circuits, Hard RTOS signal processing, Linux (RT), HIL simulation, modern development methodologies, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) additive manufacturing.
Previous experience of DVL, CVL, USBL, LBL system
Previous experience of Sonar Systems

Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group STEM Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy