How to Be Underwater Sound Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 18, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The job of an Underwater Sound Technician is an important one that is necessary to ensure safe and accurate operations in a variety of industries. This type of technician is responsible for designing and installing underwater acoustic equipment such as sonar systems, transducers, and hydrophones. They must also be able to read, interpret, and analyze data from the equipment.

The success of their work directly affects the success of the operations they are involved in. For example, if an Underwater Sound Technician is hired to analyze a shipwreck location, their accuracy in using sonar to detect the location could be the difference between a successful rescue operation and a costly failure. their work can be essential to the operations of offshore oil rigs and other underwater construction projects, as their work can help ensure safety and accuracy during these operations.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Though it is not required, most employers prefer to hire technicians who have at least a high school diploma.
Gain experience in the audio/visual field. Consider obtaining an associate's degree in audio engineering, electronics technology or another related field. You could also consider completing an internship or apprenticeship in the sound production field.
Become trained in underwater sound technology. There are several underwater sound technician certificate programs available through universities and professional organizations. These programs will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as an underwater sound technician.
Become certified in underwater sound technology. Certification is available from a variety of organizations, including the Society of Underwater Sound Technicians (SUST). This certification will validate your experience and knowledge of the field.
Obtain additional certifications as needed. Depending on the employer and the type of work you will be doing, you may need additional certifications in areas such as diving, sonar technology or underwater welding.
Search for job openings in the underwater sound technician field. Look for job postings in underwater construction, oil and gas, film and television production, engineering, and other related industries. Network with people in the field to learn about any potential job openings.

In order to stay up to date and qualified as an underwater sound technician, it is important to stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in technology. This can be done by attending seminars, subscribing to industry newsletters, and reading trade magazines. it is also important to stay current with certifications and licenses.

Taking continuing education courses and participating in workshops can help to maintain knowledge of the latest techniques and best practices for working with underwater sound systems. Staying informed and educated is essential for staying qualified and competitive in the underwater sound technician field.

You may want to check Underwater Archaeologist, Underwater Acoustic Technician, and Underwater Pipeline Inspector for alternative.

Job Description

Analyze sound recordings from underwater vessels and environments.
Design and build underwater acoustic recording equipment.
Conduct field tests in both laboratory and open-water environments.
Monitor and adjust audio levels for accuracy and consistency.
Troubleshoot and repair acoustic recording equipment as needed.
Analyze underwater sound data and prepare reports for clients.
Maintain detailed records of all underwater sound projects.
Develop strategies for minimizing noise pollution from marine vessels, drilling operations, and other activities.
Monitor the environment to ensure compliance with applicable noise regulations.
Create sound maps and diagrams to visualize underwater sound data.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of sound engineering principles and techniques
Knowledge of underwater acoustics
Knowledge of recording and playback equipment
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose issues with recording equipment
Ability to operate, maintain, and repair recording equipment
Ability to set up, operate, and maintain underwater monitoring systems
Ability to interpret data and make decisions based on it
Ability to work in a variety of aquatic environments
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent problem-solving skills
Good communication skills
Attention to detail

Being an effective Underwater Sound Technician requires a variety of skills and knowledge. Having a good understanding of acoustics is essential for proper installation and maintenance of sound equipment. Being able to troubleshoot and problem solve is also important as technicians often encounter issues with equipment in the field.

Having good communication skills is also necessary in order to be able to effectively communicate with customers and other technicians. being organized and detail oriented is important in order to ensure that all tasks are completed safely and properly. These skills, when combined, make an effective Underwater Sound Technician.

With the right skills, they can help ensure that customers receive the best sound equipment and services possible.

Underwater Videographer, Underwater Photographer/Videographer, and Underwater Robotics Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What is your experience and expertise with underwater sound systems?
What challenges have you faced and how did you approach them?
What methods do you use to ensure the accuracy of recorded data?
How do you troubleshoot sound system issues in an underwater environment?
How do you ensure accurate calibration of underwater sound equipment?
What techniques do you use for measuring underwater sound wave patterns?
How would you go about interpreting and quantifying underwater acoustic data?
Do you have any experience with deep-sea acoustics research?
Are you familiar with drafting and implementing safety protocols for underwater sound technician jobs?
How comfortable are you with working in high-pressure, low-visibility underwater environments?

Common Tools in Industry

Sub Bottom Profiler. A device used to measure sediment layers and other features of the seafloor. (e. g. Mala Sub Bottom Profiler)
Hydrophone. A microphone used to detect and record underwater sound. (e. g. Cetacean Research Technology Hydrophone)
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler. A device used to measure the speed and direction of ocean currents. (e. g. Teledyne RD Instruments Workhorse ADCP)
Underwater Camera. A camera used to capture images of underwater scenes. (e. g. Olympus TG-6)
Sonar. A device used to measure the distance, direction, or properties of objects in water. (e. g. Kongsberg Simrad ES60)
Acoustic Transmitter. A device used to transmit sound waves through the water for communication or navigation purposes. (e. g. x-array acoustic transmitter)
Acoustic Receiver. A device used to receive sound waves transmitted through water for communication or navigation purposes. (e. g. Sea-Bird Scientific Acoustic Receiver)

Professional Organizations to Know

Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC)
International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration (IIAV)
Institute of Underwater Technology (IUT)
Oceanic Engineering Society (OES)
The Underwater Acoustics Network (UAN)
Marine Technology Society (MTS)
Canadian Acoustical Association (CAA)

We also have Underwater Construction Worker, Underwater Camera Operator, and Underwater Photographer Assistant jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Acoustic Signal Processing. The process of manipulating sound waves for various purposes such as filtering, compression, and amplification.
Acoustics. The branch of physics that deals with the study of sound, including its production, transmission, and effects.
Hydrophone. A specialized microphone designed to be used underwater for recording and transmitting sound signals.
Sonar. A system used to detect objects underwater by emitting sound waves and measuring their echoes.
Submersibles. Specialized underwater vehicles used to explore the depths of the ocean.
Transducers. Devices that convert energy from one form to another, such as converting electrical signals into sound waves or vice versa.
Underwater Communication. The use of acoustic signals to communicate between two or more points underwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of sound equipment do Underwater Sound Technicians use?

Underwater Sound Technicians use a variety of sound equipment, such as hydrophones, acoustic recorders, underwater microphones, and sound level meters.

What is the purpose of an Underwater Sound Technician?

The primary purpose of an Underwater Sound Technician is to collect, analyze, and interpret underwater audio data for scientific research, environmental purposes, and commercial applications.

What qualifications do Underwater Sound Technicians need?

Underwater Sound Technicians typically need to have a bachelor's degree in acoustics, engineering, physics, or a related field, as well as experience with underwater recording and sound analysis.

How deep can an Underwater Sound Technician go?

Underwater Sound Technicians can collect data at depths up to several hundred meters below the surface.

What type of environment do Underwater Sound Technicians work in?

Underwater Sound Technicians typically work in a variety of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deep open oceans.

Web Resources

Underwater Sound Laboratory, Harvard University | People | The ... waywiser.fas.harvard.edu
The Underwater Propagation of Sound and its Applications sites.dartmouth.edu
How to Become a Sound Engineering Technician - IPR www.ipr.edu