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Ocean Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sofar Ocean

Staff Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Sofar Ocean is seeking a product-driven Staff Software Engineer to join their team in building the Wayfinder product for the maritime transport industry. This role involves collaborating with ...

Sofar Ocean

Staff Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175K - $222K/yr

You will collaborate with a top-notch team of engineers, ocean scientists and product designers to translate these user needs into high quality software that empowers our users with data to get their ...

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Ocean Engineer information

What do you do as an Ocean Engineer?

An Ocean Engineer designs, develops, and maintains equipment and systems used in marine environments, such as ships, offshore structures, and underwater vehicles. They often work with hydrodynamics, materials, and environmental conditions, using tools like CAD software and conducting field tests to ensure safety and efficiency in ocean-related projects.

What does an Ocean Engineer do?

An Ocean Engineer designs, develops, and maintains technology and structures used in marine environments. They work on offshore platforms, underwater robotics, coastal protection systems, and renewable ocean energy projects. Their role involves solving engineering challenges related to underwater pressure, corrosion, and wave impact. Ocean Engineers collaborate with marine scientists and environmentalists to create sustainable solutions for ocean exploration and resource utilization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Ocean Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ocean Engineer, you need a strong background in marine engineering principles, physics, mathematics, and a relevant engineering degree such as naval architecture or ocean engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, computational modeling tools, underwater robotics, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are often required. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help Ocean Engineers excel in multidisciplinary and often remote environments. These abilities ensure safe, innovative, and efficient solutions to complex challenges encountered in marine and offshore projects.

What are typical work environments and daily tasks for an Ocean Engineer?

Ocean Engineers often split their time between office-based design work and field assignments, such as conducting underwater surveys or supervising offshore installations. Daily tasks may include designing marine structures, analyzing environmental data, preparing technical reports, and collaborating with scientists, divers, and other engineers. Many projects involve working as part of a multidisciplinary team to address challenges like corrosion, environmental impact, and safety compliance. The role can require travel and periods working at sea, offering a dynamic and varied work environment for those who enjoy both technical and hands-on experiences.

How much money do ocean engineers make?

Ocean engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $90,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $60,000 to over $130,000 depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills, certifications, and working in specialized environments can lead to higher compensation.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain software engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare technical expertise.

Are ocean engineers in demand?

Ocean engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs in offshore energy, marine construction, and environmental monitoring. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as industries seek expertise in designing and maintaining marine structures and systems, often requiring knowledge of fluid dynamics, materials, and specialized equipment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Ocean Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Ocean Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Ocean Engineer jobs in California? For Ocean Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ocean Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Ocean Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Ocean Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Ocean Engineer job openings:
Ocean Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ocean Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Staff Software Engineer

Staff Software Engineer

Sofar Ocean

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Sofar Ocean is seeking a product-driven Staff Software Engineer to join their team in building the Wayfinder product for the maritime transport industry. This role involves collaborating with engineers, ocean scientists, and product designers to create high-quality software that enhances decision-making for sea captains navigating the oceans.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with a top-notch team of engineers, ocean scientists and product designers to translate user needs into high quality software.
• Own features across the stack and architect solutions from data storage layer to UIs.
• Work across Sofar’s software engineering teams to simplify the stack and build for the future.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 8+ years experience of professional software development experience.
• Significant professional experience with modern Typescript and React
• Comfortable building in the frontend and backend
• Owns the full lifecycle of features from conception, development, testing, release, & adoption
• Clear communicator who enjoys collaborating with other engineers, designers, PMs, and scientists
• Can rapidly acquire new technical skills and knowledge in a fast-paced, high-delivery environment
• Excited to be a part of a small but growing startup team
• Enjoy mentoring & growing engineers earlier in their technical careers
Preferred:
• Passionate about building a product with a positive impact on the world
• Passionate about the craft of software engineering. Loves making beautiful, functional interfaces for humans
• Curious and experimental in the face of rapid tech change like LLM’s
Company:
Sofar Ocean is a build accessible ocean sensing and exploration tools for ocean enthusiasts, industry, and conservation. Founded in 2016, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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