Product Design Authority

Experis UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Product Design Authority (PDA) to lead underwater acoustics and sonar systems design. This role involves providing independent technical leadership, ensuring alignment with customer needs, and guiding multidisciplinary teams through the engineering lifecycle. As a consultant, you will influence key design decisions and mentor internal teams while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. If you have a passion for innovation and a strong background in sonar systems, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a high-profile program.

Qualifications

• Experience in underwater acoustics and sonar systems.
• Proven track record in leading technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for underwater acoustic design.
• Guide system architectures and integration strategies.

Skills

Underwater Acoustics

Sonar System Engineering

Signal Processing

Technical Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Degree in Acoustics

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer status (CEng)

Tools

MATLAB

COMSOL

OrcaFlex

Job description

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Director at Experis | Women in Tech Advocate | Co-Founder of South West Defence

Role Title: Product Design Authority (PDA) – Underwater Acoustics / Sonar Systems

Location: South West, England

Duration: 6 months initially, with extension

Clearance Required: Must hold or be eligible for SC / DV clearance

Engagement Type: Contract / Consultant (Outside IR35)

Opportunity Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Product Design Authority (PDA) with specialist knowledge in Underwater Acoustics and Sonar Systems to support one of our high-profile programmes as a consultant. Operating Outside IR35, you will act as the lead technical authority for assigned products, ensuring alignment with customer needs, regulatory standards, and internal governance, from design through to delivery and in-service support.

You will operate independently, providing expertise across the full engineering lifecycle, influencing key design decisions and assuring technical integrity across multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide independent technical leadership for underwater acoustic and sonar system design activities.
• Validate system requirements and ensure delivered designs meet operational and performance expectations.
• Guide and review system architectures, acoustic models, and integration strategies.
• Lead technical risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical assurance reviews.
• Engage directly with customer technical authorities, supporting design reviews and progress meetings.
• Support innovation initiatives and technical strategy discussions in underwater sensing technologies.
• Mentor and support internal engineering teams through specialist consultancy.
• Lead root cause investigations and resolution of technical issues across the product lifecycle.

Experience:

• Deep technical expertise in underwater acoustics, sonar system engineering, and signal processing.
• Proven track record leading technical solutions for sonar systems (defence or offshore sectors preferred).
• Strong knowledge of acoustic modelling, sonar performance prediction, and transducer technologies.
• Experience with relevant engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB, COMSOL, OrcaFlex).
• Excellent communication skills for technical reporting and customer interfacing.
• Sound understanding of UK defence/marine standards (e.g., DEF STANs, MIL-STDs).
• Ability to operate independently and provide strategic technical guidance to multi-disciplinary teams.

Ideal Experience:

• Experience with Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).
• Exposure to Machine Learning techniques applied to sonar data processing.
• Knowledge of low-signature sonar systems and stealth acoustics.

Qualifications:

• Degree-qualified in Acoustics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent experience (desirable).

Additional Information:

• This is an Outside IR35 engagement.
• Flexible working arrangements are available; however, some on-site presence may be required depending on project phase and client requirements.
• Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance at [SC / DV] level.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Industries

  Defense and Space Manufacturing

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