Research and Development Engineer jobs in Auburn, AL

Research & Development Sonar Engineer Lead

Join the Johnson Outdoors team and deliver exceptional outdoor brands that transform the consumers' fishing experience!

At Johnson Outdoors, home to some of the world's most innovative and best-known outdoor recreation brands, we create amazing outdoor experiences - for adventurers, by adventurers. We want people to get out and experience the great outdoors, and we create awesome equipment to make sure people have the best experience possible when fishing.

Check us out on Cannon, Minn Kota, and Humminbird, or find us on Instagram and Facebook!

About the Role:

Leads the technical activities and teams involved in the development of sonar and underwater acoustic products for the recreational fishing sonar industry, directing implementation for new features and enhancements while maintaining scalability, supportability, and time-to-market.

What you will be doing:

• Leads the development of new technologies and complex projects which includes defining plans and objectives in collaboration with leadership, managing timelines and deliverables, communicating with key stakeholders, troubleshooting project issues/concerns, and providing guidance to the project team. Devises/tracks key performance indicators to show progress and goal achievement against those plans.

• Leads and performs technical analysis, software, hardware and signal processing algorithms design, coding, prototyping, testing, debugging and modification of complex sonar systems. Defines both functional and technical requirements to facilitate design, development, testing and implementation.

• Develops methodologies, tools, and interfaces to facilitate testing and debugging of new projects and products.

• Prepares, coordinates, and executes comprehensive test plans for evaluation and testing of sonar systems and subsystems during the different stages of the projects.

• Interacts with a variety of internal teams to define system or application requirements and capture in appropriate documentation.

• Investigates and analyzes current state of technology in the sonar and underwater acoustics fields to develop new technologies and enhance existing ones. Performs competitive product evaluations and determines if the research and design is valid and practical to develop innovative products.

• Proactively monitors, identifies, isolates, and resolves problems to avoid impact on the business.

• Prepares technical documentation and provides written, concise proposals and recommendations.

• Identifies and implements improvements for software, hardware and signal processing algorithms design and test processes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field.

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years' experience in development of software, hardware, or signal processing algorithms in the field of sonars, acoustics, non-destructive-testing or similar fields.

• Experience with the following: fixed point arithmetic programming, Phased Array and Beamforming Algorithms, acoustic or sonar instrumentation and applications, and translating functional requirements into system design specifications.

• Experience of having developed a commercialized Phased Array Multibeam Sonar.

• Solid understanding and hands-on-experience on Digital Signal Processing concepts and algorithms.

• Verilog or VHDL programming experience of Signal Processing algorithms in FPGAs.

• Solid programming skills in C/C language.

• Proficiency in MATLAB programming.

• Hands on experience designing, programming, and debugging Embedded systems interfacing with analog sensor instrumentation.

• Excellent technical project management skills to ensure successful completion and balancing of conflicting project priorities. Skills in managing the complete lifecycle of large, complex multi-phase/multi-dimensional enterprise-wide projects. Ability to complete risk assessments, capacity planning and budget forecasting.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels throughout the organization and external vendors, strong customer service orientation, excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to drive for results.

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out in the great outdoors.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about providing superior solutions flexible to meet any event's needs or mission requirements.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive:

• Share in the company's success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, eligibility for annual pay increases, and employee stock purchase plans.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, college savings program, life and LTD insurance, employee stock purchase plan, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HRSpecialAccommodations@johnsonoutdoors.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

About Us:

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak; Carlisle paddles; Minn Kota fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon downriggers; Humminbird marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO dive equipment; Jetboil outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka!camping and hiking equipment. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $743 million global enterprise with around 1,200 employees across 20 countries.