Hybrid Senior Underwater Acoustics Consultant

at SLR Consulting

• Job title: Senior Underwater Acoustics Consultant
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: CA$85,000 - CA$100,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: Python
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Vancouver, Canada

About the role

• Underwater Acoustics Senior Consultant at SLR Consulting focusing on underwater acoustics modeling. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support coastal and offshore development projects.

Responsibilities

• Underwater acoustics assessments, modelling support, and technical advisory on challenging projects, including: Coastal and offshore development projects such as ports and terminals, dredging and marine construction, offshore energy, subsea cables, and nearshore infrastructure.
• Vessel and operational noise assessments, cumulative effects considerations, and support to permitting and environmental approvals.
• Technical support to environmental assessments, compliance programs, stakeholder and regulator responses, and (where required) dispute resolution or expert input.
• The day-to-day experience depends on the projects underway, but typically includes: Developing and running underwater sound propagation and exposure models (continuous and impulsive sources), including defining inputs, assumptions, sensitivity checks, and uncertainty.
• Supporting or leading source characterization, including review of measurement data, literature values, equipment specifications, and deriving model ready source terms.
• Processing and interpreting underwater acoustic datasets (spectral and time series), including QA checks, event identification, and summary metrics.
• Working with monitoring teams to plan and design underwater noise monitoring campaigns, including approach, instrumentation considerations, and data deliverables.
• Some fieldwork may be required depending on location and project needs.
• Streamlining and standardizing workflows for modelling, data processing, and reporting.
• Building templates, guidance, and repeatable methods that improve consistency and efficiency.
• Preparing and presenting clear, defensible technical outputs, including methods, figures, and reporting suitable for environmental assessments, permitting, and peer review.
• Providing QA/QC review of internal and external deliverables.
• Coordinating with project managers to maintain schedule and budgets, including supporting proposals, task planning, and technical resourcing.
• Mentoring less experienced team members, especially around modelling approach, data handling, and report quality.
• Contributing to business development and growth, including client support, technical thought leadership, and helping shape service offerings in underwater acoustics.

Requirements

• Experience in underwater acoustics consulting, supporting environmental assessments, permitting, compliance, and/or project approvals.
• At least 5 years of consulting experience expected.
• Degree in engineering, physics, acoustics, ocean engineering, marine science, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional registration (P.Eng. in Canada, PE in the US, or equivalent), or eligible to obtain registration in the jurisdiction where you will be based.
• Strong command of the fundamentals used to measure, model, predict, and evaluate underwater sound, including propagation physics, frequency domain concepts, source characterization, and how modelling links to field data.
• Understanding marine fauna behavior and responses to underwater sound, including how behavioral disturbance, masking, stress indicators, and habitat considerations influence assessment approaches and mitigation decisions.
• Familiarity with commonly used marine species impact criteria and assessment frameworks in environmental approvals (marine mammals, fish, sea turtles where relevant), and the ability to apply them sensibly.
• Proficiency with computational and data tools used in underwater acoustics and environmental consulting, such as Python and/or MATLAB, GIS (nice to have), and strong capability with Microsoft 365 tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint).
• Experience with underwater acoustics modelling tools or numerical methods used for sound propagation and exposure assessment.
• Ability to document assumptions, run sensitivity checks, and produce reproducible outputs is essential.
• Experience supporting underwater acoustic measurement and monitoring programs (planning, execution oversight, data QA, analysis, interpretation).
• Direct fieldwork experience is a strong advantage, but this role can be modelling focused depending on project needs.
• Experience with marine mammal observation programs is an asset, including MMO or PAM integration, observation protocols, data recording, and how observations feed into decision making during operations.
• Ability to prepare clear, defensible technical reports suitable for environmental assessments and peer review, including strong figure and methods writing.
• Experience supporting the development of practical mitigation, monitoring, and adaptive management plans, including translating model outputs into clear controls, timing windows, exclusion zones, ramp up procedures, operational constraints, and reporting commitments.
• Proven ability to work directly with clients to shape feasible solutions, balancing environmental risk, regulatory expectations, and real-world operational constraints.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with marine biologists, ecologists, and monitoring contractors, and to communicate acoustics concepts in a way that supports field execution and regulatory confidence.
• Staff training and mentoring experience is desired and expected as part of the role, particularly around modelling workflows, data handling, and technical quality.
• Flexible, multi-tasking work habits, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across time zones.
• Highly organized, reliable, and adaptable, with a proactive, problem-solving approach and the ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to explain technical concepts clearly to both specialists and non-specialists.
• Proven client relationship experience is preferred. Supporting proposals, scope development, and technical conversations with clients is part of the job.
• Must be legally able to live and work in the country of hire ( Canada, US or elsewhere as applicable).

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package including comprehensive benefits, vacation, and a suite of wellness initiatives