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Senior Ocean Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hanwha Ocean

Senior Mooring Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

Hanwha Ocean is undergoing a transformative journey, evolving from a traditional shipbuilder into a ... The Senior Engineer will work on the design and installation of various types of mooring and ...

Hanwha Ocean

Senior Mooring Engineer

Houston, TX

$99K - $137K/yr

Hanwha Ocean is undergoing a transformative journey, evolving from a traditional shipbuilder into a ... The Senior Engineer will work on the design and installation of various types of mooring and ...

Pae

Senior Engineer (UEM Electrical)

Ijamsville, MD

$108K - $141K/yr

Navy technical programs/projects, marine and ocean engineering experience or project of similar scope. Ten (10) years of Engineering design support for U.S. Navy underwater electromagnetic (UEM ...

Amentum

Senior Engineer (UEM Electrical)

Ijamsville, MD · On-site

$108K - $141K/yr

Amentum is looking for a Senior Engineer (UEM Electrical) to work out of our Ijamsville MD office ... Navy technical programs/projects, marine and ocean engineering experience or project of similar ...

Panthalassa

Senior Computational Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

About the Company We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly ... About the Job As a Senior Computational Engineer, you will lead and improve the use of high ...

Panthalassa

Senior Computational Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

About the Company We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly ... About the Job As a Senior Computational Engineer, you will lead and improve the use of high ...

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Senior Ocean Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior ocean engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior ocean engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Ocean Engineer vs Ocean Engineer?

AspectSenior Ocean EngineerOcean Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ocean Engineering, often with 5+ years experienceBachelor's degree in Ocean Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, project management, overseeing teams in offshore or research settingsDesign, analysis, and fieldwork in offshore or marine environments
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas, renewable energy, marine research companiesMarine construction, offshore drilling, environmental agencies

Senior Ocean Engineers typically have more experience, leadership responsibilities, and advanced certifications compared to Ocean Engineers. They often oversee projects and teams, focusing on complex design and management tasks. Ocean Engineers perform technical analysis and fieldwork, supporting project execution. Both roles are vital in marine industries, but Senior Ocean Engineers hold more seniority and strategic responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Ocean Engineers during offshore project deployments?

Senior Ocean Engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, logistical complexities of transporting equipment to remote sites, and ensuring the safety of personnel during offshore deployments. Effective communication and coordination with multidisciplinary teams, including marine operations, environmental scientists, and vessel crews, are essential to address these issues. Additionally, adapting engineering solutions to dynamic marine environments and adhering to strict regulatory standards can require innovative problem-solving and flexibility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Ocean Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Ocean Engineer, you need a solid background in ocean engineering, marine structures, and hydrodynamics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and several years of industry experience. Expertise in CAD software, computational modeling tools, and familiarity with offshore standards and certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are highly valuable. Strong project management, problem-solving skills, and effective communication with multidisciplinary teams set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are essential for designing safe, efficient marine systems and leading complex projects in challenging ocean environments.

What does a Senior Ocean Engineer do?

A Senior Ocean Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing the installation and maintenance of systems and equipment used in the ocean environment. This can include underwater vehicles, offshore platforms, renewable energy devices, and environmental monitoring systems. They work on projects related to marine infrastructure, energy extraction, and ocean exploration, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Senior Ocean Engineers also manage projects, lead teams, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Ocean Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Ocean Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Ocean Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Ocean Engineer jobs include:
Senior Ocean Engineer jobs near you
Senior Ocean Systems Engineer

Senior Ocean Systems Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 57 rated research

Job description

Description
Do you have a passion for research, development, and integration of ground-breaking maritime technology?
Do you have a desire to help solve some of the US Navy 's most exciting challenges in the undersea domain?
Do you have a strong background in at-sea testing, systems engineering, systems integration, undersea vehicles, or undersea sensing?
If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!
We are seeking a Senior Ocean Systems Engineer for the Ocean Systems and Engineering Group. In this role, you will support advancement of our nation's next generation of maritime prototype systems from concept development to installation to testing. You will work with a team from government, industry, and academia to develop performance specifications, lead technical studies, and develop systems engineering products for emerging maritime programs, to include autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs). This role will include the opportunity to direct test and evaluation (T&E), as well as engagement with AUV developers and operators. As a member of our team, you will build on APL's legacy of scientific research and development and trusted service to the nation.
As a Senior Ocean Systems Engineer, you will...
  • Apply innovative thinking to the detailed development, integration, and evaluation of technical solutions for maritime payloads, autonomous vehicles, acoustic systems, communications systems, and vehicle autonomy.
  • Perform technical and/or project leadership for small- to medium-sized technical tasks that may involve both hardware and software.
  • Develop, integrate, and test early prototype Research and Development (R&D) systems.
  • Generate systems engineering products such as performance specifications, concepts of operation, and system architecture/engineering plans.
  • Support small focused studies involving adaptation of technology to urgent or emerging problems.
  • Collaborate with multiple DoD system partners to evaluate current strategies, risks, and opportunities to develop and implement T&E strategies that refine/improve their programs and missions.
  • Collaborate with AUV operators to develop operation and maintenance processes to support the full system life cycle (requiring 10% travel to partner organization).

Qualifications
You meet our minimum requirements for the job if you...
  • Have a B.S. degree in a technical or scientific field such as Systems Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or equivalent.
  • Have 5+ years of relevant experience working with maritime systems or a closely related field to this position.
  • Have experience generating and performing system test events.
  • Have experience with maritime platform design and integration.
  • Are passionate about system engineering methods and tools for maritime system development, integration, evaluations, and technology analysis.
  • Possess strong organization and planning skills, with record of accomplishment in a team environment.
  • Have excellent social skills and outstanding written and oral communications skills.
  • Are able to work within the government infrastructure and address leadership roles in an environment of contractor and government teams.
  • Can support the travel needed in order to perform the essentials functions of the job.
  • Are able to obtain an interim Top Secret level security clearance by you start date and can ultimately obtain Top 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 a M.S. or Ph.D. degree in a technical or scientific field such as Systems Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
  • Have experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools, language, and methodology.
  • Have experience as a Task Lead or Project Manager.
  • Have experience with fielded autonomous systems.
  • Hold an active 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 http://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 Accommodations@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
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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