Underwater Sensor Engineer: Maritime Systems & Testing

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE in McLean, VA seeks early-career engineers to advance maritime capabilities for national security priorities. You will work with senior engineers across signal processing, data analysis, rapid prototyping, and field testing of underwater sensors and acoustic systems.

The ideal candidate has foundations in applied math, physics, and engineering, with coursework or projects in signal processing, sensing, or communications.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
• Typically requires less than 1 year of related experience with a related bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Proactive self-starter with strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong foundation in applied mathematics, physics, and engineering demonstrated through coursework, research, internships, or projects
• Ability to apply quantitative methods to engineering problems in signal processing, wave propagation, modeling and simulation, or prototype development
• Experience using MATLAB or Python for modeling, simulation, and analysis of physical systems
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government clearance (U.S. citizen)
• Minimum on-site presence: 3 days per week

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, development, and evaluation of signal processing algorithms for underwater sensing and acoustic systems
• Model acoustic propagation and sensor performance using physics-based and empirical methods
• Rapidly prototype sensors and embedded underwater systems from concept to field-ready integration
• Assist in planning field tests and evaluations, and analyze results for sponsors
• Contribute to transducer and acoustic sensor design for small autonomous underwater systems
• Analyze multi-dimensional maritime datasets to inform technical recommendations
• Support sponsor engagement by communicating findings and shaping research directions
• Collaborate across sonar analysis, wave propagation, and acoustic sensing domains

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

BS/MS in engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

MITRE in McLean, VA seeks early-career engineers to advance maritime capabilities for national security priorities. You will work with senior engineers across signal processing, data analysis, rapid prototyping, and field testing of underwater sensors and acoustic systems.

The ideal candidate has foundations in applied math, physics, and engineering, with coursework or projects in signal processing, sensing, or communications.