Job Description

Senior DSP Scientist – Acoustics & Sensor Systems (Secret Clearance)

| Columbia, MD (100% Onsite) | US Citizenship and Active Secret Clearance required

🧪 Full-time | Permanent | Deep Tech | High-trust team

We’re hiring a Senior Research Scientist with deep expertise in digital signal processing (DSP) , acoustic detection systems , and novel sensor technologies . You’ll develop cutting-edge algorithms for acoustic classification, localization, and tracking , including applications like torpedo detection, marine mammal classification , and underwater distributed sensing systems .

This is true R&D work (mission-driven, unbureaucratic, and anchored in long-term contracts) supporting the U.S. Navy and defense communities. You’ll be part of a collaborative, high-trust lab environment, working with physicists, engineers, and researchers who value autonomy and technical rigor.

And if you know us, you know we only work with people and projects we believe in. This brilliant and driven group develops advanced acoustic sensing technologies, biologically inspired algorithms, and signal processing systems that directly support U.S. Navy and defense applications.

This is true research and development: deeply technical, mission-relevant, and intellectually engaging. No fluff. No endless productization. Just smart people doing meaningful work. On stable, secure, ongoing contracts.

What You’ll Work On

• Design and implement algorithms for acoustic detection, classification, localization (DCL) , and tracking
• Apply brain-inspired auditory models to complex classification problems like marine mammal recognition and torpedo detection
• Develop wide-area distributed ocean sensing systems using novel sensors and signal processing techniques
• Apply machine learning to signal classification problems such as underwater object detection and ocean noise analysis
• Build and prototype real-time sensing systems integrating custom signal chains, sensor arrays, and acoustic modeling tools
• Lead modeling and simulation efforts across acoustic and sensor domains
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary R&D environment with domain experts in sonar systems, underwater physics, and naval technology
• Contribute to new sensor concepts, hardware development, and lab/field testing
• Write proposals, prototype original ideas, and contribute across the full R&D lifecycle

What You Bring

• 8+ years of experience in signal processing, acoustics , or applied algorithm development
• PhD or MS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Mathematics , or a related field
• Fluency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm design and analysis
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small, high-functioning technical team
• U.S. Citizenship and an active Secret clearance (required)

Ace Experience

• Physics-based system modeling or hands-on work with sensor hardware
• Comfort with Linux, Java, or C++
• Experience applying machine learning in acoustic or sensory systems
• Background in proposal writing or leading research initiatives

Why This Role and Why Now? Here's why...

• This is a low-bureaucracy, high-trust environment, built for researchers who think in systems, care about their craft, and enjoy solving complex problems that matter.
• If you’ve spent your career in labs or technical programs and you’re looking for a place to invent, build, and collaborate with real purpose, this is one of the best teams we know.

You’ll work in a purpose-built R&D lab with a tight-knit, thoughtful team that values autonomy, technical depth, and the clarity that comes from good science.

You'll partner with collaborative, kind, brilliant researchers, designers, engineers, and thought leaders.

You'll have a work-home where respect, collaboration, autonomy, and appreciation of each other's talents and acumen are valued and required parts of the day. With great benefits, strong comp, and consistent, steady, planned, and established work.

Your ability to express complex ideas, conclusions, and persuasive insights clearly and respectfully (whether in writing, conversation, or code) will be met with the same level of thoughtfulness and clarity here .

Important Notes

• This position is onsite-only in Columbia, Maryland
• The work, equipment, and data are all in the lab; no remote or hybrid options
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with active Secret clearance or higher.

Interested? Cool. We thought so!

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