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Entry Level Underwater Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HII's Mission Technologies division

$77K - $127K/yr

TS/SCI with Poly Level of Experience: Entry Level Employee Referral Amount: $3,000.00 Meet HII ... underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that's right for you. Apply today. We look ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Electrical Designer/Drafter I

Norwich, CT · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview The Electrical Designer/Drafter I is an entry-level position that supports electrical ... Apply basic electrical engineering and drafting principles to support design solutions. * Conduct ...

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Entry Level Underwater Engineer information

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$40.5K

$86.4K

$142.5K

How much do entry level underwater engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level underwater engineer in the United States is $86,381.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $103,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level underwater engineer do?

An Entry Level Underwater Engineer assists in the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of underwater structures such as pipelines, cables, and offshore platforms. They typically work with more experienced engineers and divers to conduct surveys, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure the safety and integrity of underwater systems. Tasks may include collecting data, preparing reports, and using specialized equipment or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in underwater environments. This role requires knowledge of engineering principles and a willingness to work in challenging, aquatic conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level underwater engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Underwater Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles (such as mechanical, civil, or marine engineering) and a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, underwater surveying tools, and certifications like commercial diving qualifications (e.g., ADCI or IMCA) are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are important soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure safe, precise, and innovative solutions to engineering challenges in underwater environments.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level underwater engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Entry level underwater engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to working in physically demanding and sometimes remote marine environments, quickly learning to use specialized diving and engineering equipment, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including marine biologists, senior engineers, and divers, is essential for project success. New engineers can overcome these obstacles by seeking mentorship, actively participating in safety and technical training, and staying open to feedback from experienced colleagues.

What is the difference between Entry Level Underwater Engineer vs Entry Level Marine Technician?

AspectEntry Level Underwater EngineerEntry Level Marine Technician
Required CertificationsOpen Water Diver Certification, Basic Engineering CertificationsSTCW Certification, Marine Electronics Certification
Work EnvironmentUnderwater construction sites, offshore platformsShipyards, marine maintenance facilities
Industry UsageOil & gas, underwater construction, researchShipping, vessel maintenance, port operations

Entry Level Underwater Engineers and Marine Technicians often share certifications and work environments related to marine and underwater work. However, Underwater Engineers focus more on designing and overseeing underwater projects, while Marine Technicians handle maintenance and repairs of marine equipment. Both roles are essential in the maritime industry, but their daily tasks and career paths differ.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Underwater Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Underwater Engineer jobs are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Underwater Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Underwater Engineer jobs are:

Entry Level Underwater Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Underwater Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,381 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

2026 Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you excited by the challenge of performing modeling and simulation and analysis on complex weapon systems in support of the U.S. Navy? Do you have a strong desire to work with data from operational U.S. submarines to understand performance and develop and validate physics-based models?
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest and foundation in fluid dynamics and will have an eagerness to apply and expand their skillset across a range of technical challenges.
As a member of the team, you will gain a deep technical understanding of the weapon systems we support. You will play a pivotal role in assessing how modifications to existing weapon systems affect the complex fluid environment of underwater missile launch. Additionally, you will work with a multidisciplinary team that supports our sponsors in developing advanced analysis methods for deployed systems, modernizing existing Navy hardware, and integrating new weapon systems onto Navy platforms.
As a Mechanical Engineer on our team, you will...
  • Develop deep technical expertise in submarine launcher and other shipboard systems by analyzing operational patrol data.
  • Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, including mesh creation, execution, and post-processing on our in-house High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster.
  • Perform physics-based bulk volume modeling and data analysis using MATLAB/Simulink and other tools.
  • Implement coding best practices and develop streamlined, maintainable workflows across the team's modeling and analysis tools.
  • Validate simulations against test data to assess the accuracy and fidelity of the simulations.
  • Support test and evaluation efforts ranging from small-scale lab tests to full-scale system tests at government facilities or onboard Navy platforms.
  • Provide critical technical recommendations to sponsors regarding design solutions proposed by industry partners.
  • Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for presentation to internal staff, government, and industry partners.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
  • Have demonstrated interest in fluid dynamics through coursework, professional experience, or in a laboratory setting.
  • Are willing to learn new tools and embrace the changes needed to transform existing workflows in a developing Digital Engineering environment.
  • Are willing and able to travel occasionally (5%) to U.S. Navy facilities, bases, and contractor sites.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have significant experience performing modeling and simulation using CFD tools such as OpenFOAM or StarCCM+, or with bulk volume analysis in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, etc.
  • Have experience with data analysis of large, complex mechanical systems.
  • Have experience working with submarines or missile launcher systems.
  • Have an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$165,000 Annually

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