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Ocean Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chipton Ross

Principal Mechanical Engineer 3

Del Rey, CA · On-site

$155.22/hr

Ocean Engineering or equivalent STEM) and a minimum of 5 years of experience or MS degree with 3 years of experience. * Proficiency in using common engineering design, production, analysis, and ...

Saic

Mechanical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, or Ocean Engineering and 9 years experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Required Security Clearance: * Must have an active secret ...

Odin Dynamics, Inc

Fall Engineering Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Ocean Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. * Genuine interest in building ...

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All JobsOcean Engineering JobsOcean Engineering Jobs in California

Ocean Engineering information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$144.9K

$171.7K

How much do ocean engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for ocean engineering in California is $144,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is ocean engineering?

Ocean engineering is a branch of engineering focused on the design, development, and maintenance of structures and systems that operate in the ocean environment. This field combines elements of mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering to address challenges such as offshore energy production, underwater robotics, coastal protection, and marine transportation. Ocean engineers work on projects like oil platforms, underwater vehicles, renewable energy installations, and coastal infrastructure, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. The work often involves multidisciplinary collaboration and adapting to the unique and harsh conditions of marine environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ocean engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ocean Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, civil, or marine engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in ocean engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, ocean modeling tools, and industry certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you excel in multidisciplinary, often challenging marine environments. These competencies are crucial for designing safe, innovative solutions to complex problems in ocean structures, vessels, and coastal systems.

What are some typical challenges ocean engineers face when working on offshore projects?

Ocean engineers often encounter challenges such as harsh weather conditions, unpredictable sea states, and complex logistical issues when working offshore. Ensuring the safety and durability of structures like oil rigs, underwater pipelines, or renewable energy platforms in these environments requires careful planning, advanced engineering techniques, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, ocean engineers must consider environmental regulations and the impact of their projects on marine ecosystems. These challenges make strong problem-solving skills and adaptability essential for success in this field.

What is the difference between Ocean Engineering vs Marine Engineering?

AspectOcean EngineeringMarine Engineering
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ocean Engineering or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Marine Engineering or Naval Architecture
Work EnvironmentOffshore platforms, research vessels, coastal facilitiesShip design, propulsion systems, shipyard environments
Industry UsageResearch, offshore oil & gas, renewable energyShipbuilding, maritime transportation, naval defense

Ocean Engineering and Marine Engineering share overlapping skills and credentials, but differ mainly in focus. Ocean Engineering emphasizes offshore structures, ocean systems, and research, while Marine Engineering concentrates on ship design, propulsion, and maritime operations. Both fields are vital in maritime industries, but their specific applications and work environments distinguish them.

Are ocean engineers in demand?

Ocean engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs in offshore energy, marine infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. Employment opportunities are available in research institutions, government agencies, and private companies, often requiring skills in CAD, project management, and knowledge of marine environments.

What does an ocean engineer do?

An ocean engineer designs, develops, and maintains equipment and systems used in marine environments, such as ships, offshore platforms, and underwater vehicles. They often work with hydrodynamics, materials, and environmental considerations, using tools like CAD software and adhering to safety and environmental standards.

What kind of jobs are in ocean engineering?

Ocean engineering offers jobs such as offshore structural engineer, marine systems designer, subsea engineer, and coastal engineer. These roles involve designing, constructing, and maintaining maritime infrastructure, often requiring knowledge of fluid dynamics, materials science, and specialized tools like CAD software. Many positions are based in research facilities, shipyards, or offshore platforms and may require certifications in safety and engineering standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Ocean Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Ocean Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Ocean Engineering jobs in California?

For Ocean Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ocean Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Ocean Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Ocean Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Ocean Engineering job openings:

Ocean Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ocean Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,945 per year, or $69.7 per hour.

Staff Scientist -- Marine Acoustics

Sofar Ocean

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$121 - $171/hr

Other

Re-posted yesterday

Key responsibilities

  • Help shape Sofar's acoustics research and development strategy, providing scientific and technical direction for an underwater acoustics platform.

  • Develop capabilities to detect, classify, and localize underwater objects using passive and/or active acoustic sensing methods.

  • Coordinate and conduct field experiments, data analyses, and simulation studies to evaluate acoustic system performance in real‑world ocean conditions.

Job description

The Role:

Sofar designs, builds, and deploys ocean sensing networks at a global scale that provide unique observational knowledge of the ocean environment. We are expanding our sensing capabilities into underwater acoustics to detect, classify, and locate underwater objects, and to create an acoustic map of the marine environment. We are looking for an experienced scientist in ocean acoustics to help shape and advance Sofar’s underwater acoustics platform.

Responsibilities:
  • Help shape Sofar’s acoustics research and development strategy, contributing scientific and technical direction for an underwater acoustics platform that supports real‑world marine applications.
  • Develop capabilities to detect, classify, and localize underwater objects using passive and/or active acoustic sensing methods.
  • Advance methods for creating acoustic maps of the marine environment, including characterization of ambient soundscapes, propagation conditions, and relevant oceanographic context.
  • Provide an acoustics‑centric perspective on sensing system design, deployment strategy, data quality, and performance validation.
  • Collaborate with Sofar’s oceanic and sensing scientists, software engineers, and firmware teams to translate acoustic research into operational products.
  • Coordinate and conduct field experiments, data analyses, and simulation studies to evaluate acoustic system performance in real‑world ocean conditions.
  • Bring deep expertise in marine acoustics to complement Sofar’s ocean science, sensing, and forecasting teams.
  • Contribute to product requirements, technical roadmaps, and research priorities for new underwater acoustic capabilities.
  • Represent Sofar externally with customers, research partners, government agencies, and the broader ocean acoustics community.
Minimum Job Qualifications:
  • Deep expertise in underwater acoustics.
  • Experience developing acoustic sensing systems or algorithms for detection, classification, localization, mapping, or environmental characterization.
  • Strong understanding of marine acoustic propagation, ambient noise, signal processing, and the practical constraints of ocean sensing.
  • Experience working with real‑world acoustic datasets, field deployments, and/or operational sensing systems.
  • Experience applying statistical signal processing, machine learning, or modern AI methods to acoustic detection, classification, or environmental inference.
  • Excellent communication skills, and you excel working in a cross‑functional team.
  • Experience translating scientific research into operational products or customer‑facing capabilities.
  • Ph.D. in acoustics, ocean engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, oceanography, or a related field, but we will consider highly qualified candidates of any education level with equivalent experience.
  • Strong reputation within the ocean acoustics community, with experience contributing to research programs, technical partnerships, or externally funded work.
  • Enthusiasm and experience in leveraging LLMs to magnify personal impact.
Bonus Points:
  • Familiarity with embedded sensing systems, firmware constraints, or edge processing for acoustic applications.
  • Familiarity with the constraints of autonomous ocean platforms, including limited power, bandwidth, onboard compute, sensor calibration, and long‑duration deployments.
  • Comfort working in production codebases when necessary to personally deliver changes.
Estimated Salary Range:
  • $121,000 - $171,000
  • The range listed is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may be modified in the future. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, and equity package.
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