Underwater Sensing & Signal Processing Engineer

USM Foundation; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 71,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking a Sensor Physics and Signal Processing Engineer to conduct research in signal processing methods for autonomous underwater systems at the Ocean Enterprise center. The role emphasizes developing and evaluating acoustic, magnetic, and other sensing algorithms while characterizing sensor performance under varying environmental conditions.

You will collaborate with AI/ML, software, autonomy, and systems engineering researchers to integrate sensing

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Applied Physics, Physics, Geophysics, Remote Sensing, Electrical Engineering, or closely related field with six years of related experience; or Ph.D. with four years of related experience.
• Experience in signal processing, sensor characterization, physics-based sensing, or related research.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a government security clearance; valid driver’s license and TWIC eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates signal processing algorithms for acoustic, magnetic, and other underwater sensing systems.
• Characterizes sensor performance and evaluates effects of environmental and operational conditions on sensing capability, data quality, and detection performance.
• Develops detection, filtering, feature extraction, and sensor characterization techniques to support autonomous underwater sensing and perception.
• Collaborates with AI/ML, software, autonomy, and systems engineering researchers to integrate sensing algorithms into edge-deployable autonomous systems.
• Supports laboratory integration, simulation, pool testing, and open-water demonstrations involving autonomous underwater vehicles and advanced sensor payloads.
• Evaluates sensor performance through laboratory experiments, field-collected datasets, simulations, and modelling tools and documents findings through technical reports, publications, and presentations.
• Translates research findings into operational capabilities through development, validation, and transition of sensing technologies for intelligent autonomous systems.
• Maintains knowledge of advances in underwater sensing, signal processing, and applied sensor physics and applies emerging methods to improve sensing performance in operational environments.

Skills

Signal processing

Sensor characterization

Python

C/C++

Autonomous systems

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Job description

The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking a Sensor Physics and Signal Processing Engineer to conduct research in signal processing methods for autonomous underwater systems at the Ocean Enterprise center. The role emphasizes developing and evaluating acoustic, magnetic, and other sensing algorithms while characterizing sensor performance under varying environmental conditions.

You will collaborate with AI/ML, software, autonomy, and systems engineering researchers to integrate sensing