Acoustic Engineer

Surge Marine; Valkenburg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Surge Marine in Valkenburg, Netherlands seeks an Acoustic Engineer to transform raw hydrophone data into real-time tactical intelligence for autonomous interceptor platforms. You design rugged hydrophone arrays and develop signal processing chains to maintain performance in challenging underwater environments.

You will implement TDOA and beamforming for target localization, lead noise fingerprinting, and drive sea trials with propulsion and electronics teams to validate models against sea

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of sonar equations and acoustic propagation.
• Field-proven problem solving during sea trials.
• Ability to define technical requirements and ship results.
• Experience with DSP and data analysis in Python or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy ruggedized hydrophone arrays for high-speed platforms.
• Implement TDOA and beamforming for real-time target localization.
• Lead noise fingerprinting and acoustic signature classification in challenging environments.
• Coordinate with propulsion and electronics teams; validate models through sea trials.

Skills

DSP

Python

MATLAB

Signal processing

Acoustics

TDOA & beamforming

Job description

Job Title: Acoustic Engineer – Underwater Systems

Location: Valkenburg (next to Leiden), Netherlands Type: Full-time

The Mission

At Surge Marine, we don't just build boats; we build high-performance, autonomous interceptor platforms. We are looking for an Acoustic Engineer who thrives on "black magic" engineering—solving complex signal processing challenges that others find impossible. You will be responsible for turning raw hydrophone data into reliable, real-time tactical intelligence, ensuring our platforms maintain total domain awareness in the most challenging underwater environments.

What You'll Be Doing

• Hydrophone Architecture: Design and deploy ruggedized, high-fidelity hydrophone arrays. You will move beyond standard setups to create configurations capable of handling the high-speed dynamics of our waterjet-driven platforms.
• Target Localization: Build the intelligence that allows our systems to "see" underwater. You will implement advanced TDOA and beamforming logic to pinpoint the position and velocity of objects in real-time.
• Noise Fingerprinting: Lead the classification of acoustic signatures. You will develop robust models to distinguish between engine noise, cavitation, biological interference, and target-specific signatures, ensuring our systems perform perfectly amidst high-noise ambient conditions.
• Rapid Iteration: Work hand-in-hand with our propulsion and electronics teams. You will move from simulation to hardware implementation, leading sea trials to validate your models in actual maritime conditions.

Who You Are

• A True Specialist: You have a deep, intuitive grasp of the sonar equation, multipath propagation, and acoustic impedance. You don't just run software; you understand the physics behind every signal.
• Grit & Problem-Solving: You are comfortable in the field. When a sensor fails during a sea trial, you aren't waiting for a manual—you're out on the deck with the tools, diagnosing the issue and fixing it.
• Performance-Driven: You despise bureaucratic "paper-pushing" and focus on shipping real, functional results. You are capable of defining technical requirements and executing them without constant oversight.
• Technical Stack: Proficiency in DSP and data analysis (Python/MATLAB). Experience with underwater communication protocols is a major plus.

Why Join Surge Marine?

We are a team of engineers, not managers. We operate with a bias toward action, a flat hierarchy, and a singular focus on out-performing the status quo in the maritime industry. If you want to contribute to the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicle platforms and see your code and hardware deployed in real-world environments, this is the place for you.