Summary: The Product Design Authority (PDA) role focuses on leading technical authority in underwater acoustics and sonar systems for a high-profile program. The position requires independent operation and expertise across the engineering lifecycle, ensuring alignment with customer needs and regulatory standards. The role is contract-based, operating outside IR35, and involves mentoring engineering teams and engaging with customer technical authorities. The position is based in South West England and requires eligibility for UK Security Clearance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide independent technical leadership for underwater acoustic and sonar system design activities.
• Validate system requirements and ensure delivered designs meet operational and performance expectations.
• Guide and review system architectures, acoustic models, and integration strategies.
• Lead technical risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical assurance reviews.
• Engage directly with customer technical authorities, supporting design reviews and progress meetings.
• Support innovation initiatives and technical strategy discussions in underwater sensing technologies.
• Mentor and support internal engineering teams through specialist consultancy.
• Lead root cause investigations and resolution of technical issues across the product lifecycle.

Key Skills:

• Deep technical expertise in underwater acoustics, sonar system engineering, and signal processing.
• Proven track record leading technical solutions for sonar systems (defence or offshore sectors preferred).
• Strong knowledge of acoustic modelling, sonar performance prediction, and transducer technologies.
• Experience with relevant engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB, COMSOL, OrcaFlex).
• Excellent communication skills for technical reporting and customer interfacing.
• Sound understanding of UK defence/marine standards (e.g., DEF STANs, MIL-STDs).
• Ability to operate independently and provide strategic technical guidance to multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) (ideal).
• Exposure to Machine Learning techniques applied to sonar data processing (ideal).
• Previous consultancy roles supporting classified defence projects (ideal).
• Knowledge of low-signature sonar systems and stealth acoustics (ideal).
• Degree-qualified in Acoustics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent experience (desirable).

Salary (Rate): undetermined

City: undetermined

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: outside IR35

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other