Ocean Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company's direction on a regular basis.

We are building a core technology designed to operate in the harshest, most unpredictable environments on Earth, the world's oceans. Delivering on this mission requires not only elite engineering talent but a work environment that runs smoothly, scales intelligently, and frees our team to focus on solving impossibly hard problems.

We are looking for an Electrical Infrastructure Engineer to serve as the technical authority for the design and evolution of electrical infrastructure across our facilities. This role spans existing operations and new build-outs, covering infrastructure upgrades, new facility diligence, design input, installation, commissioning, and long-term system performance.

This is a design-forward role for someone who understands how power infrastructure actually gets delivered today: how to source it, design it, and scale it under real-world constraints. You will develop strategies to unlock megawatt-scale capacity quickly by combining traditional and non-traditional infrastructure approaches.  

You are comfortable working upstream, shaping electrical architecture, identifying risks early, and translating evolving engineering needs into practical, buildable infrastructure plans that can be executed with quality and speed.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company's direction on a regular basis. You will own your designs cradle-to-grave, from first concept through fabrication and deployment at sea. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

• Develop hybrid approaches to delivering MW-scale power (utility, temporary service, generation, storage), understanding technical requirements and thinking from first principles to identify creative solutions that meet those requirements 
• Define paths to capacity (near-term vs. long-term) across cost, schedule, and constraints
• Work directly with utilities and partners to shape power delivery strategy
• Translate evolving load requirements into credible power ramp plans
• Identify constraints and design around them with practical, buildable solutions

• Diagnose and resolve power quality issues, failures, and system risks
• Define system standards and design criteria; partner with the facilities team and external contractors for execution
• Maintain core system documentation (single-lines, panel schedules)
• Guide maintenance prioritization based on system criticality
• Design scalable distribution systems that avoid rework

• Lead early-stage electrical design, including interim solutions
• Integrate power delivery with cooling, space, and site constraints
• Develop load calculations, single-lines, and conceptual layouts
• Review designs for constructability and capacity
• Coordinate with external partners on design criteria and scope

• Sequence builds to enable rapid capacity deployment
• Manage electrical scopes, contractors, and submittals
• Oversee installation to ensure quality, safety, and alignment with design
• Integrate new systems with minimal operational disruption

• Build staged power ramp models aligned to business timelines
• Conduct load studies and track capacity across systems
• Support power system studies 
• Develop forward-looking infrastructure plans

• Own electrical safety programs (LOTO, energy control)
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA
• Support inspections, permitting, and incident investigations

• Develop electrical specifications and standards
• Improve reliability, maintainability, and documentation practices
• Support cost estimation and budgeting

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 5–10+ years in industrial, manufacturing, or R&D environments
• Experience with medium-voltage systems, utility interconnection, or large power upgrades
• Strong background in electrical distribution systems and load calculations
• Ability to develop and interpret electrical drawings and system models
• Experience leading contractors and driving execution
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause capability
• Working knowledge of electrical safety standards (NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA)

• Experience developing non-traditional or hybrid power solutions
• Direct experience working with utilities
• Experience with on-site generation, microgrids, or phased builds
• PE or EIT certification
• Experience with power system modeling tools
• Background in high-growth R&D or prototype environments

This is a full-time, onsite role at our Portland, OR facility. The work involves regular time on the shop floor, in mechanical and electrical rooms, and in active construction or buildout environments. Candidates should be comfortable working alongside engineers, technicians, and contractors in a hands-on industrial setting.

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $160,000 - $210,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and background.
• Equity in the company. We're all owners and if we're successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled)
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.