Acoustic Signal Processing & Machine Learning Engine

Applied Scientist – Acoustic Signal Processing & Machine Learning

Underwater Sensing & Classification

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: 2–10 Years (Post M.Tech/MS/PhD)

Education: M.Tech / MS (Research) / PhD Required

About Altair

Altair is a deep-tech aerospace and defence company developing advanced technologies across unmanned systems, maritime surveillance, underwater sensing, defence electronics, artificial intelligence, advanced composites, and next-generation military systems.

One of our flagship programs is focused on building intelligent underwater sensing systems capable of detecting, identifying, classifying, and tracking underwater targets using advanced acoustic sensing, signal processing, and machine learning.

We are seeking an exceptional Applied Scientist to help improve and build our system capable of identifying and classifying underwater acoustic signatures in complex real-world environments.

Role Overview

This is a research-intensive role at the intersection of:

• Acoustic Signal Processing
• Statistical Signal Processing
• Machine Learning
• Time-Series Analytics
• Detection & Classification Systems

The successful candidate will develop algorithms that transform raw underwater acoustic data into actionable intelligence.

The role requires strong mathematical and signal processing foundations. Candidates with expertise in sensing systems, acoustics, radar, sonar, RF, or related domains will be preferred over candidates whose experience is primarily in generative AI, LLM applications, or enterprise data science.

Key Responsibilities

Signal Processing & Algorithm Development

Develop and improve algorithms for:

• Acoustic signal detection
• Feature extraction
• Spectral analysis
• Time-frequency analysis
• Noise suppression and filtering
• Detection and classification
• Signature recognition
• Anomaly detection
• Multi-sensor data fusion
• Acoustic fingerprinting

Work extensively with:

• Hydrophone data
• Vector sensor data
• Multi-channel acoustic recordings
• Low signal-to-noise ratio environments
• Real-world field datasets

Machine Learning & AI

Design and implement machine learning systems for:

• Acoustic target classification
• Signature recognition
• Event detection
• Anomaly detection
• Few-shot learning
• Self-supervised learning
• Representation learning
• Model adaptation under sparse-data conditions

Evaluate both classical and deep-learning approaches based on operational requirements.

Applied Research

• Study and implement state-of-the-art research in signal processing and machine learning.
• Translate research concepts into deployable engineering solutions.
• Design experiments and evaluation methodologies.
• Develop scalable training and validation pipelines.
• Contribute to the long-term technical roadmap of Altair's underwater sensing systems.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

M.Tech, MS (Research), ME, or PhD in one of the following disciplines:

• Signal Processing
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics & Communication Engineering
• Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Acoustics
• Ocean Engineering
• Communication Systems
• Control Systems
• Machine Learning (with significant signal processing background)

B.Tech-only candidates will generally not be considered for this position.

Required Technical Skills

Strong experience in several of the following areas:

Signal Processing

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Statistical Signal Processing
• Detection & Estimation Theory
• Spectral Analysis
• Adaptive Filtering
• Time-Frequency Analysis
• Feature Extraction
• Time-Series Analytics
• Pattern Recognition

Machine Learning

• Classification Systems
• Anomaly Detection
• Representation Learning
• Self-Supervised Learning
• Probabilistic Models
• Deep Learning for Sensor Data
• Time-Series Machine Learning

Programming

Strong proficiency in:

• Python
• NumPy
• SciPy
• PyTorch

Experience developing robust research and production-quality code is desirable.

Highly Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following domains will be strongly preferred:

Acoustics & Sonar

• Underwater Acoustics
• Sonar Signal Processing
• Hydrophone Data Analysis
• Vector Sensor Processing
• Passive Acoustic Monitoring
• Acoustic Source Localization

Signal Intelligence & Sensing

• Radar Signal Processing
• RF Signal Classification
• Electronic Warfare Systems
• Sensor Fusion
• Tracking Systems

Audio & Acoustic AI

• Speech Processing
• Acoustic Scene Analysis
• Bioacoustics
• Environmental Acoustic Monitoring
• Music Information Retrieval

Why Join Altair

• Work on one of the most technically challenging AI and sensing problems in defence.
• Build next-generation underwater awareness and classification systems.
• Operate at the intersection of acoustics, signal processing, machine learning, and maritime security.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning sensing, electronics, software, autonomy, and defence systems.
• Opportunity to create genuinely novel technology with real-world operational impact.

Important Note

This is not a generic AI, LLM, Generative AI, NLP, or Data Science role.

Candidates with strong foundations in signal processing, sensing systems, acoustics, applied mathematics, radar, sonar, RF, or related engineering disciplines will be preferred over candidates whose experience is primarily in software product AI or enterprise analytics.

Interested candidates are encouraged to share their CV, publications, patents, GitHub profile, and relevant research work.