Research Scientist/Engineer

Acoustical Society; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Partial/hybrid telework

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Work with Navy customers

Job summary

ARiA seeks a scientist or engineer with deep expertise in underwater acoustics, sonar signal processing, or physics-based sonar simulation. You will formulate approaches, implement numerical methods, and validate results against theory and data for training, evaluation, and decision-support tools.

The position may be based in Madison, Virginia, or Seattle, Washington, requiring onsite collaboration with Navy customers.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in acoustics, ocean engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, or closely related field.
• Equivalent directly relevant research or engineering experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated research or engineering experience in underwater acoustic propagation, sonar signal processing, ocean-environment effects on acoustic sensing, or physics-based acoustic simulation.

Responsibilities

• Develop physics-based models of underwater sound propagation and sonar performance.
• Implement and test numerical or signal-processing algorithms in Python/C++/MATLAB.
• Collaborate with teams and Navy customers to integrate algorithms into tools.
• Plan, execute, and document technical work with clear assumptions and results.
• Communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary colleagues and customers.

Skills

Scientific Computing

Communication

Independent Work

Education

Master’s degree in acoustics/ocean engineering

PhD in acoustics/ocean engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C

C++

Job description

Title: Research Scientist / Engineer — Underwater Acoustics, Sonar & Modeling
Locations: Madison, VA or Seattle, WA (onsite with partial/hybrid telework; occasional travel)
Date posted: October 20, 2026
Pay: $125,000.00 – $225,000.00 per year

Research Scientist / Engineer — Underwater Acoustics, Sonar & Modeling

Applied Research and Scientific Computing (Individual Contributor)

ARiA is a specialized applied R&D firm working in underwater acoustics, sonar signal processing, physics-based modeling and simulation, and machine learning. We develop new algorithms, evaluate their performance, and turn research into software and tools used in demanding Navy applications. We are a small, interdisciplinary team: each scientist and engineer is responsible for planning and executing their own work while coordinating closely with colleagues who share responsibility for the project’s success.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Opportunity

ARiA is seeking a scientist or engineer with demonstrated strength in underwater acoustics, sonar signal processing, acoustic propagation, or physics-based sonar simulation. You will formulate technical approaches, implement numerical and signal‑processing methods, test them against theory and data, and help carry promising research into training, evaluation, and tactical decision‑support tools. We are considering candidates from recent graduate researchers through experienced scientists; what matters is depth in relevant technical work and the ability to execute it.

The position may be based in Madison, Virginia, or Seattle, Washington. Regular onsite work is required for collaboration with colleagues and Navy customers and for access to secure facilities, controlled technical information, and operational systems. Partial/hybrid telework is available when compatible with project security requirements and the work being performed; this is not a fully remote position.

Our Culture

ARiA relies on individual accountability and collective ownership rather than a rigid project‑management hierarchy. We expect team members to make informed technical judgments, plan their own work, communicate progress and obstacles, and question assumptions—including their own. Strong technical opinions are welcome; defending a weak approach after evidence shows otherwise is not. We value colleagues who seek criticism, recognize others’ expertise, and help their teammates succeed.

The Standard

This is a hands‑on research position. The successful candidate must be able to move from a physical or mathematical problem to a documented model, working algorithm, defensible test, and useful result. Scientific correctness, reproducibility, sound software engineering, and clear communication matter as much as novelty. We expect scientists to understand the limitations of their models and to work constructively with software engineers, operational specialists, and Navy customers.

SCOPE OF WORK

Working in close coordination with other ARiA researchers and engineers, you will conduct applied research and development in ocean‑acoustic modeling, sonar data analysis, and simulation‑based tools supporting operational systems and training.

Core Responsibilities

• Acoustic Modeling: Develop, adapt, or evaluate physics‑based models of underwater sound propagation, scattering, transmission loss, reverberation, and environmental effects on sonar performance.
• Sonar Signal Processing: Research and implement methods for sonar signal generation, beamforming, detection, localization, estimation, classification, or related acoustic analysis.
• Tactical Oceanography: Use sound‑speed structure, bathymetry, seabed properties, ocean observations, and environmental uncertainty to assess acoustic system behavior and predictions.
• Research Software: Build and maintain scientific software using appropriate numerical methods, version control, automated tests, and reproducible workflows; collaborate on integration into larger systems.
• Verification and Validation: Design analytical, numerical, and experimental tests; compare predictions with observations or benchmark cases; quantify sensitivity, uncertainty, and model limits.
• Team and Customer Collaboration: Develop technical plans with peers, document results, present findings at reviews, and contribute to integration and testing with Navy partners and other performers.

Sample Tasks

• Evaluate propagation and transmission‑loss predictions under varying sound‑speed profiles, bottom types, geometries, and frequencies using an existing model or a new numerical approach.
• Implement and validate a sonar processing or simulation algorithm using synthetic and measured acoustic data, with regression tests and documented performance limits.
• Compare alternative environmental‑model inputs and quantify how they affect predicted sensor performance and tactical recommendations.
• Connect acoustic‑model output to a simulation, training application, or tactical decision aid, with clear assumptions and repeatable test cases.
• Investigate an unexpected result by distinguishing errors in the physical assumptions, numerical model, environmental input, and signal‑processing implementation.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Citizenship and Security: U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance are required for this position. Access to controlled technical information, export‑controlled data, secure facilities, and government systems is integral to the work. An active clearance is advantageous but is not required at application.
• Education: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in acoustics, ocean engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, or a closely related technical field; equivalent directly relevant research or engineering experience will be considered.
• Relevant Technical Depth: Demonstrated research or engineering experience in at least one of underwater acoustic propagation, sonar signal processing, ocean‑environment effects on acoustic sensing, or physics‑based acoustic simulation.
• Scientific Computing: Experience implementing and testing numerical or signal‑processing algorithms in Python, MATLAB, C, or C++ and working with version‑controlled code.
• Communication: Ability to explain technical decisions, assumptions, limitations, and results in writing and in discussions with multidisciplinary colleagues and customers.

Technical Expertise — Particularly Valuable

• Propagation and Navy Models: Experience with CASS/GRAB, the Oceanographic and Atmospheric Master Library (OAML), BELLHOP, KRAKEN, RAM, or comparable underwater acoustic propagation and sonar‑performance models.
• Sonar Systems: Knowledge of passive or active sonar, array processing, matched‑field processing, reverberation, detection and localization, or undersea sensor performance assessment.
• Tactical Applications: Experience with sonar tactical decision aids, sonar training systems, environmental prediction tools, or the transition of acoustic algorithms into Navy operational or training software; STDA‑related experience is a bonus.
• Additional Tools: Experience with environmental/oceanographic datasets, HPC or GPU computing, Linux scientific software, simulation integration, or experiments at sea or in the laboratory.

Professionalism

• Accountable Execution: Plan and carry out technical work independently while keeping the team aligned on assumptions, milestones, results, and risks.
• Scientific Judgment: Test hypotheses rigorously, recognize uncertainty, and revise an approach when peer review, analysis, or experimental evidence warrants it.
• Collaboration: Engage productively with scientists, software engineers, and operational subject‑matter experts; make good use of expertise you do not personally possess.
• Learning and Communication: Acquire unfamiliar methods and tools as needed and communicate technical findings clearly without overstating what the evidence establishes.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary: $125,000–$225,000 per year. Actual offers reflect relevant technical expertise, experience, and responsibilities.

• Medical, dental, and vision: ARiA pays 100% of insurance premiums for offered coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan: Company discretionary/elective and nonelective contributions; not a matching program.
• Paid time off: Flexible PTO.
• Additional compensation: Eligibility for proposal bonuses.
• Work arrangements: Partial/hybrid telework, subject to project security, customer, and team needs.