Lynker Corporation, in strategic partnership with Fisheries Immersed Science Hawaii (FISH) as the FLOAT – the "FISH" and "Lynker" Ocean Alliance Team Joint Venture, is seeking motivated Lead Acoustician to join interdisciplinary field teams on vessel-based research surveys for NOAA’s ProTech Fisheries 2.0 program. Employment in this role is contingent upon FLOAT being awarded the contract by NOAA.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and supervise daily passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) schedules and acoustic field team rotation for ship-based marine mammal surveys.
• Oversee the operation, deployment, and real-time monitoring of towed hydrophone arrays and other passive acoustic technologies, ensuring all equipment is functional and properly configured for data collection.
• Supervise and mentor a team of acousticians in the detection, classification, and localization of marine mammal vocalizations using PAMGuard or comparable software platforms.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain all acoustic hardware and related scientific equipment; ensure rapid response to technical malfunctions.
• Perform and verify daily archival, backup, and QA/QC of all collected acoustic data, ensuring integrity, completeness, and adherence to project protocols.
• Prepare, review, and submit required operational and summary data reports to the Survey Leader and NOAA points of contact.
• Act as the principal point of contact for acoustic data issues and field team concerns; participate in survey planning meetings and communications with multidisciplinary science teams.
• Lead or assign training and knowledge transfer for junior staff, supporting staff development and adherence to evolving protocols.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in marine biology, oceanography, marine engineering, bioacoustics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 12 months cumulative experience with the operation of towed hydrophone arrays and passive acoustic systems from large (>100 ft.) research vessels.
• Documented prior experience in team leadership/supervision of field acoustic teams.
• Proficiency with PAMGuard and comparable acoustic data collection, analysis, and archiving software.
• Demonstrated expertise troubleshooting and repairing acoustic hardware, data acquisition systems, and sensor networks.
• Excellent organizational, technical documentation, recordkeeping, and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to pass and maintain all NOAA/government medical, safety, security, and shipboard clearances prior to deployment.

Preferred:

• Prior service as Lead Acoustician or equivalent role aboard NOAA research vessels.
• Reference or endorsement from a previous employer regarding team supervision and field acoustic expertise.
• Experience mentoring or training acousticians in passive acoustic hardware and data protocols.
• Familiarity with NOAA shipboard visual survey software and/or autonomous acoustic instrumentation (e.g., Soundtraps).
• Knowledge of marine mammal vocalization analysis and relevant regulatory/data reporting requirements.

Work Environment:

Position requires extended deployments at sea with variable schedules and operational tasks. Must be able to work for weeks at a time offshore, adapt to changing plans and challenging conditions, and maintain robust health and safety standards.

About Lynker

Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in fisheries, marine science, and environmental research. With a commitment to scientific excellence and resource stewardship, Lynker leverages technical expertise and advanced field operations to support the management and conservation of aquatic resources and protected species. environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. We are a growing, employee-owned small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement. We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

*This position is advertised through our joint venture, FLOAT—a partnership between Lynker and Fish, serving NOAA ProTech Fisheries.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.