Ocean Career: MOTE Ocean Engineer

The Ocean Technology Research program at Mote Marine Laboratory is seeking a full-time Ocean Engineer to support the development, deployment, and maintenance of innovative oceanographic technologies and autonomous observing systems.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and implementing marine instrumentation and autonomous systems for oceanographic research. This role requires a hands-on engineer with expertise in marine technology, system integration, and field deployment in coastal and offshore environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and test oceanographic instruments, sensor systems, and autonomous marine platforms.
  • Integrate hardware and software for real-time data acquisition and communication systems.
  • Perform field deployments of ocean technology, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders, buoys, and fixed sensor platforms.
  • Develop and implement power and communication solutions for remote sensing platforms.
  • Conduct troubleshooting, maintenance, and calibration of oceanographic instruments and electronic systems.
  • Collaborate with scientists and engineers to support interdisciplinary research on biogeochemical processes, optics, and oceanographic modeling.
  • Contribute to national and regional ocean observing initiatives, including the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) and Mote’s Sarasota Operations – Coastal Ocean Observing Laboratory (SO-COOL).
  • Document methodologies and results in technical reports, grant proposals, and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Participate in professional conferences, technical working groups, and industry organizations.
  • Mentor student interns and engage in outreach activities to promote ocean technology research.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Education: B.S. or M.S. (preferred) in Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Marine Science, or a related field.

Experience:

  • Hands-on experience with oceanographic instrumentation, autonomous vehicles, and marine sensor integration.
  • Background in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering for harsh marine environments.
  • Proficiency in CAD, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping.
  • Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++) for data processing and automation.
  • Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and real-time sensor interfacing is a plus.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting complex systems.

Other Requirements:

  • Ability to work in field conditions, including vessel-based deployments and at-sea operations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and research dissemination.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively in a research-driven team environment.


Location: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sarasota, FL

We will continue to receive and review applications until the position is filled.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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