Acoustics AI/ML Researcher

Team Description:

Kitware’s acoustics research is currently organized under our computer vision and AI team.  Acoustic researchers collaborate with computer vision, AI and ML researchers to apply the latest machine learning models to acoustic processing in terrestrial and underwater domains.

Our computer vision and AI team is a leader in the creation of cutting-edge algorithms and software for automated image and video analysis. Our solutions embrace deep learning and add measurable value to government agencies, commercial organizations, and academic institutions worldwide. We understand the difficulties in extracting, interpreting, and utilizing information across images, video, metadata, and text, and we recognize the need for robust, affordable solutions. We seek to advance the fields of computer vision and deep learning through research and development and through collaborative projects that build on our open source software platforms, such as VIAME for the marine domain and Telesculptor.

About the Projects: 

Kitware’s employees have unique opportunities to interact and collaborate directly with customers, visit interesting customer sites, and participate in live field tests and demonstrations. Much of Kitware’s work involves applying state-of-the-art artificial intelligence approaches to dynamic, real-world problems. In this case, you will have the opportunity to contribute your skills to projects focused on national security, making a difference on a daily basis to protect our country. Research and Development Engineers at Kitware also enjoy benefits commonly associated with a position in academia, such as support and encouragement for the publication of novel work.

We partner with premier government R&D agencies such as DARPA, ONR, AFRL, NVESD, NOAA, other branches of the US military, and multiple members of the Intelligence Community on a range of efforts, including prime contracts, SBIRs, and STTRs. In addition, we provide commercial services to companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Kitware employs an open source business model to foster extended, collaborative communities, and to provide flexible, high-quality technical solutions. If you’ve used CMake, ITK, or VTK, you know our work and the impact it has on the communities we help build.

• Develop robust solutions for detection, classification, anomaly detection, and soundscape analysis for both active and passive acoustic modalities in undersea and other domains
• Collaborate with computer vision researchers to adapt computer vision and AI techniques to the acoustics domain
• Contribute expertise in signal processing to projects outside the acoustics domain
• Enjoy support and encouragement for participation in national and international conferences (such as UACE, OCEANS, OSM, IGARSS, CVPR, ICCV, and ECCV)
• Be encouraged to seek funding to grow and develop your own research areas, if you desire

• PhD in Electrical Engineering / Acoustics or related field 
• Experience in passive acoustic data processing and phenomenology
• Experience in general signal processing and analysis
• Experience with machine learning and neural networks
• Strong publication record in top-tier research publications and conferences
• Candidates should include a detailed list of publications as part of their resume/CV
• Highly innovative and demonstrated track record for solving complex technical challenges using acoustic-generated time series or imagery
• Experience collaborating successfully with others and thriving in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• If not already cleared TS/SCI, willingness and ability to apply for and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• Due to contractual restrictions, only US Citizens will be considered for this position

• 5+ years experience or course work in signal analysis for passive and active undersea acoustic phenomenology (e.g., Fourier analysis, complex-valued waveforms, filter design, channel estimation, detection, matched filtering, signal propagation)
• 5+ years experience or coursework in array signal processing techniques (e.g., beampatterns, beamforming, interference rejection, phase calibration, array design)
• 5+ years experience with synthetic aperture imaging techniques and data
• Experience with subsea field collections

Company Description:

Kitware is a research and development software solutions provider with a mission to advance science, make a positive impact, and share our results all within a collaborative, employee-focused work environment that is friendly, fair, and flexible. Our work is improving healthcare outcomes, increasing national security, and advancing our national computing infrastructure. Our customers and collaborators include top universities from around the world, government organizations, national research labs, medical device manufacturers, car manufacturers, financial institutions, and many others.  

Kitware is proud to be 100% employee-owned, and Great Place to Work-Certified™.  

Additional Information:

Our team members enjoy a small company environment, flexibility in work assignments, and high levels of independence and responsibility. Besides a great work environment, our comprehensive benefits package includes a competitive compensation plan, tuition reimbursement program, flexible working hours, six weeks paid time off, 401(k), health insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, bonus plan, and free coffee, drinks, and snacks. 

For more information on our benefit offerings please visit: https://www.kitware.com/careers/.

Kitware actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, protected veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. 

Any unsolicited resume sent to Kitware, including to Kitware's mailing addresses, fax machines or email addresses, whether directly to Kitware employees or to Kitware's applicant tracking system, will be considered Kitware property.  Kitware will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, and will consider any candidate submitted by a recruitment agency without a fully executed contract with Kitware to have been referred free of any charges or fees.

If you need assistance with applying or interviewing for a role due to a disability or special need, please reach out directly to our HR team at hr@kitware.com at any time during the hiring process.