Product Design Authority

JR United Kingdom; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Product Design Authority (PDA) with expertise in underwater acoustics and sonar systems. This role involves providing independent technical leadership and ensuring design integrity across multidisciplinary teams. You will engage directly with customer technical authorities, validate system requirements, and support innovation initiatives in underwater sensing technologies. This is a contract role operating outside IR35, offering flexible working arrangements with the potential for on-site presence. If you have a passion for underwater acoustics and are looking to make a significant impact in a high-profile program, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide independent technical leadership for underwater acoustic and sonar system design.
• Lead technical risk identification and mitigation planning.

Skills

Underwater Acoustics

Sonar System Engineering

Signal Processing

Technical Leadership

Technical Reporting

Customer Interfacing

Education

Degree in Acoustics

Degree in Physics

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

COMSOL

OrcaFlex

Job description

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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.