Sonar System Mechanical Design Engineering Lead

Job Posting Title:

Sonar System Mechanical Design Engineering Lead

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Hiring Department:

Applied Research Laboratories

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

Manage and perform the detailed design, fabrication, and installation of high frequency sonar systems and other subsea sensor payloads related to Submarines, UUVs, divers, and mini submersibles in the Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other researchers, system developers, and designers as part of a multi-disciplinary team to determine project requirements, development tasks, and schedules

• Modeling, design, and development of sonar transducers, arrays, and associated mechanical and acoustic components for subsea sensor systems. Perform detailed engineering design of electroacoustic components utilizing CAD tools and formal acoustic and structural design techniques. Perform structural mechanics and acoustics FEA to simulate and predict performance of designs. Analytical and numerical modeling of advanced transducers to improve current technology. Development of new fabrication techniques and materials processing methods to increase sensor performance and longevity while reducing cost and form factor.

• Procurement, fabrication, and assembly of sonar systems and sensor payloads

• Integration, testing and evaluation of sonar systems and sensors in a lab environment and in the field

• Develop and review engineering documentation, including presentation of technical materials for program managers and project sponsors

• Supervise, mentor, and lead a team of junior scientists and engineers

• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or other related discipline.

• Three years of demonstrated experience in electroacoustic transducer design.

• Fundamental understanding of physical acoustics and wave phenomena.

• Experience designing and tuning dynamic systems for sensing applications.

• Experience with linear dynamic system analysis and advanced computer modeling using finite elements.

• Familiarity with electronic system hardware design and fabrication.

• Experience in design of mechanical parts using SolidWorks CAD software.

• Machine design of mechanical system hardware and associated tooling and test platforms using both traditional and additive manufacturing methods.

• Knowledge of GD&T drawing practices and technical documentation per ASME Y14.5.

• Familiarity operating manual mills, lathes, grinders, welders, overhead cranes, and various other shop tools.

• Proficient in mechanical and electrical system troubleshooting.

• Proven ability to perform at every level of a project life cycle.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with sensitive and confidential information, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member with and without daily supervision, work several overlapping projects over a short period of time, ability to work within an environment with rapidly changing priorities, and effectively communicate with all groups of clients. Able to work under pressure and accept supervision. Regular and punctual attendance.

US Citizen. Selected applicant is subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at level appropriate to project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.

• Research experience in modeling, design, and analysis of ultrasonic transducers and acoustical systems.

• Detailed engineering design of piezoelectric sensing systems for underwater applications.

• Development of multi-physics numerical models for measuring the dynamic response of electroacoustic transducers in resonant and wideband operation.

• Solid understanding of underwater acoustic propagation and how environmental factors contribute to system design.

• Experience with data acquisition software, power amplifiers, function generators, oscilloscopes, and other laboratory testing equipment.

• Project management experience including the developmen