Principal Acoustic Engineer/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.

Your responsibilities:

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 Sonardyne 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. Our 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