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Underwater Acoustic Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vatn Systems

Acoustic Systems Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through ... The Role As an Acoustic Systems Engineer, you will integrate acoustic devices with VATN autonomous ...

Vatn Systems

Acoustic Systems Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through ... The Role As an Acoustic Systems Engineer, you will integrate acoustic devices with VATN autonomous ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Electronics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $141K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA

$114K - $149K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Electronics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $141K/yr

Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless ... Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL ...

ManTech

Science and Research Analyst

Silverdale, WA · On-site

$128K - $214K/yr

Develop, refine, and execute predictive mathematical and physical models to simulate underwater ... Bridge the gap between advanced data science techniques and structural/hydro-acoustics engineering ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About SonatechSonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... underwater acoustics systems. You will be expected to collaborate closely with other departments to ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About Sonatech Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... underwater acoustics systems. You will be expected to collaborate closely with other departments to ...

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Underwater Acoustic Engineer information

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$37.5K

$107.9K

$143K

How much do underwater acoustic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for underwater acoustic engineer in the United States is $107,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an underwater acoustic engineer?

An Underwater Acoustic Engineer designs, analyzes, and improves underwater sound systems, such as sonar, communication networks, and acoustic sensors. They work in industries like defense, marine research, and offshore energy to study how sound propagates in water. Their role involves developing technologies for detecting objects, mapping ocean floors, and enhancing underwater communication. They use specialized software and testing methods to optimize acoustic performance. This field requires expertise in physics, signal processing, and fluid dynamics.

What types of projects or environments do underwater acoustic engineers typically work in?

Underwater Acoustic Engineers often work on diverse projects ranging from designing sonar systems for submarines and underwater vehicles to developing acoustic monitoring solutions for marine wildlife or offshore infrastructure. They may be employed by research organizations, defense contractors, oil and gas companies, or environmental agencies, splitting their time between office-based analysis and fieldwork at sea or in test facilities. Collaboration with oceanographers, mechanical engineers, and software specialists is common, requiring adaptability and teamwork. Depending on the employer and project, some roles may involve international travel or extended periods offshore, offering unique challenges and learning experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underwater acoustic engineer?

To thrive as an Underwater Acoustic Engineer, you need strong expertise in physics, acoustics, signal processing, and ocean engineering, typically supported by an engineering degree in a related field. Familiarity with simulation software, acoustic measurement equipment, and tools like MATLAB or LabVIEW is essential, and certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) can be beneficial. Effective problem-solving, clear communication, and the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams are key soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for designing, testing, and optimizing underwater acoustic systems used in fields like marine research, defense, and offshore construction.

More about Underwater Acoustic Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Underwater Acoustic Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Underwater Acoustic Engineer jobs are:

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States with the most job openings for Underwater Acoustic Engineer jobs include:

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Underwater Acoustic Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underwater Acoustic Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,902 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Acoustic Systems Engineer

Vatn Systems

Bristol, RI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Vatn Systems
Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled engineering. Our AUVs are defining the next generation of underwater autonomy.
The Role
As an Acoustic Systems Engineer, you will integrate acoustic devices with VATN autonomous underwater vehicles, work with specialists to characterize the performance, and implement improvements. Devices you will work with include in-house acoustic forward looking sonar arrays, passive acoustic monitoring systems, and countermeasure devices. You'll work closely with the acoustics and autonomy team to characterize real-world sensor behavior and close the loop between fielded performance and algorithm development.
What You'll Do
  • Plan and execute in-water data collections for forward looking sonar designs
  • Isolate defects to root cause across the sensing chain - sensor, analog front end, acquisition software, vehicle integration, or environment - and drive corrective action to closure against requirements
  • Develop and maintain automated analysis pipelines that ingest multichannel recordings and produce spectra, beamformed outputs, detection and tracking metrics, and homing performance summaries
  • Develop and maintain ROS 2 nodes for these acoustic systems, launch configurations, and recording tools supporting payload data capture and playback on vehicle platforms..
What We're Looking For
Required
  • 3-5 years of experience in robotics perception or autonomous systems
  • Strong Python and/or MATLAB skills for software development and data analysis
  • Demonstrated system analytical / system level debugging skills
  • Solid understanding of linux operating system and commandline operations
  • Willingness to work in the field system and participate in weekly field test exercises.

Nice To Have:
  • Exposure to transducers, hydrophones, or other analog sensor front ends, including their failure modes and interface requirements
  • Familiarity with underwater or ocean acoustics, including propagation, array theory, or the sonar equation
  • Experience deploying sensor perception algorithms on embedded hardware (Jetson or similar)

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially having you join our team in shaping the future of autonomous underwater exploration.

Apply