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POSITION SPECIFICS
Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations
We are seeking motivated and experienced Signal Processing Research and Development Engineers to join the Sensor Analysis and Data Modeling (SADM) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. SADM tackles multidisciplinary topics, from signal processing to machine learning to software design, with a focus on sonar systems. Our department's goal is to leverage acoustic physics and all available data to generate data products and tools that support our military sponsors and our national defense. In this role, you will work closely with senior subject matter experts to develop, analyze, and transition sonar and array signal processing algorithms. You will bring your own technical expertise and expand your knowledge of undersea acoustics.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and encourages transitioning service members to apply.
You will:
Develop signal processing algorithms – Design, implement, and validate active and passive sonar and array signal processing algorithms, including beamforming and direction-of-arrival estimation
Collaborate with subject matter experts – Work with senior engineers, scientists, and military personnel to define problems, refine approaches, and integrate expertise from many disciplines
Research new approaches – Investigate and evaluate new techniques when solving difficult or novel signal processing problems
Execute analyses – Evaluate algorithm performance, data quality, and the feasibility of novel approaches using at-sea and simulated data
Support field testing – Help plan data collections and provide in-person analysis and troubleshooting
Deliver and transition results – Communicate findings clearly to stakeholders, scientists, and software engineers both within ARL and at external sponsors
Contribute to technical documentation – Help write technical memos, reports, white papers, and study plans
Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
Working independently on moderately complex assignments, reviewing progress, and evaluating results
Leading defined tasks or technical areas within larger projects
Developing new techniques and analysis approaches, and presenting results to sponsors
Training and providing technical guidance to junior engineers, and reviewing their work
Monitoring and tracking task budgets and funding
Contributing technical content to proposals and publications
Required skills/experience include:
Past success working within sonar signal processing or in phased array signal processing in another field (e.g., radar, RF, seismic, or ultrasound)
Solid foundation in statistical signal processing, including spectral analysis, filtering, and detection and estimation theory
MATLAB, Python, or C++
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication and presentation skills
Preferred skills/experience include:
Ph.D. in a relevant field
Experience with phased array processing techniques, such as beamforming and direction-of-arrival…