Signal Processing Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking Signal Processing Research and Development Engineers for its Sensor Analysis and Data Modeling (SADM) Department. SADM works across signal processing, machine learning, and software design, with a focus on sonar systems. The department uses acoustic physics and available data to develop data products and tools supporting military sponsors and national defense. In this role, you will work with senior subject matter experts to develop, analyze, and transition sonar and array signal-processing algorithms while applying and expanding your expertise in undersea acoustics. The position is fully on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, and requires periodic travel to remote locations. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and encourages transitioning service members to apply. The role may be filled at either the Senior Professional or Advanced Professional level. Senior Professional requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science and 14 or more years of relevant experience. Advanced Professional requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science and 5 or more years of relevant experience. Higher-level responsibilities include working independently on moderately complex assignments, leading defined technical tasks, developing new techniques, presenting results to sponsors, guiding and reviewing junior engineers’ work, tracking budgets and funding, and contributing to proposals and publications. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a government security clearance. Employment also requires successful completion of background checks, participation in ARL’s drug-testing program, and compliance with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in secure environments that include Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information, and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted in certain areas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science.
For the Advanced Professional level, at least 5 years of relevant experience.
For the Senior Professional level, at least 14 years of relevant experience.
Past success working in sonar signal processing or phased-array signal processing in another field, such as radar, RF, seismic, or ultrasound.
Solid foundation in statistical signal processing, including spectral analysis, filtering, and detection and estimation theory.
Experience with MATLAB, Python, or C++.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
Strong written, oral, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills.
U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance.
Successful completion of required background checks, participation in the ARL drug-testing program, and compliance with applicable electronic and physical monitoring requirements.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in a relevant field.
Experience with phased-array processing techniques, such as beamforming and direction-of-arrival estimation.
Experience analyzing at-sea data.
Knowledge of underwater acoustics, sound propagation, and environmental effects on sonar performance.
Technical publications, reports, or conference presentations.
Experience with version control and project-tracking tools such as Git and Jira.
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and validate active and passive sonar and array signal-processing algorithms, including beamforming and direction-of-arrival estimation.
Collaborate with senior engineers, scientists, and military personnel to define problems, refine approaches, and integrate multidisciplinary expertise.
Investigate and evaluate new techniques for difficult or novel signal-processing problems.
Evaluate algorithm performance, data quality, and the feasibility of novel approaches using at-sea and simulated data.
Help plan data collections and provide in-person analysis and troubleshooting during field testing.
Communicate findings to stakeholders, scientists, and software engineers within ARL and at external sponsors.
Contribute to technical memos, reports, white papers, and study plans.
At the higher level, work independently on moderately complex assignments, review progress, and evaluate results.
At the higher level, lead defined tasks or technical areas within larger projects; develop new techniques and analysis approaches; and present results to sponsors.
At the higher level, train and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and review their work.
At the higher level, monitor and track task budgets and funding.
At the higher level, contribute technical content to proposals and publications.