ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Underwater Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Key ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Key ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Electronics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $141K/yr

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Key ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Key ...

Techoundsllc

Sr Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Key ...

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$150K - $220K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA five ... Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering * Minimum 5 years in active electrical engineer design

Actalent

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$125K - $180K/yr

... underwater environments. Responsibilities * Lead the design, development, documentation ... Review engineering drawings, GD&T, materials, and manufacturing processes to improve product ...

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation.Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA five ... engineer designMinimum 5 years working as a system engineer with direct product design and ...

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA five ... Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering * Minimum 5 years in active electrical engineer design

Sonatech

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$120K - $180K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, five ... The Mechanical Engineer will look at current processes and manufacturing tools, and work with ...

Sonatech

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, five ... The Mechanical Engineer will look at current processes and manufacturing tools, and work with ...

Sonatech

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

... of underwater Navy system currently in operation.Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, five ... The Mechanical Engineer will look at current processes and manufacturing tools, and work with ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About SonatechSonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... Design new piezoelectric transducers for underwater applications.Design and selection of ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About Sonatech Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... Design new piezoelectric transducers for underwater applications. * Design and selection of ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About Sonatech Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... Design new piezoelectric transducers for underwater applications. * Design and selection of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsUnderwater Engineer JobsUnderwater Engineer Jobs in California

Underwater Engineer information

See California salary details

$19.1K

$92.7K

$180.7K

How much do underwater engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for underwater engineer in California is $92,664.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,534.00 and $126,810.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an underwater engineer?

An Underwater Engineer designs, builds, and maintains structures and systems in underwater environments. They work on projects such as offshore oil rigs, underwater pipelines, subsea telecommunications, and marine infrastructure. Their duties often involve diving to inspect equipment, using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and applying specialized engineering principles to ensure structures withstand underwater conditions. These engineers typically have a background in civil, mechanical, or marine engineering and may require diving certifications for hands-on tasks.

What are some typical work environments and team structures for underwater engineers?

Underwater Engineers commonly work in dynamic settings that include offshore platforms, underwater construction sites, and shipyards, often splitting time between fieldwork and office-based project planning. Teams are typically multidisciplinary, collaborating with marine biologists, construction specialists, safety officers, and vessel crews to ensure project goals are met safely and efficiently. Daily responsibilities may involve underwater inspections, equipment setup and maintenance, and real-time troubleshooting, both above and below the water. The collaborative and technical nature of the work fosters strong teamwork and clear communication, making adaptability and a proactive attitude valuable in this role.

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

To thrive as an Underwater Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering disciplines (such as civil, mechanical, or marine engineering), along with specialized knowledge in underwater construction and repair, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and commercial diver certification. Familiarity with tools like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), underwater welding equipment, and sonar imaging systems is crucial for handling technical underwater tasks safely and efficiently. Excellent problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills, as projects often involve coordinating with multidisciplinary teams in challenging environments. These abilities ensure the safety, success, and reliability of complex underwater projects in areas such as offshore construction, inspection, and maintenance.

How much do underwater engineers make?

Underwater engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of projects. Senior roles or specialized skills in diving, robotics, or subsea systems can lead to higher salaries.

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

The most popular types of Underwater Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Underwater Engineer jobs in California?

For Underwater Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Underwater Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Underwater Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Underwater Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Underwater Engineer job openings:

Underwater Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underwater Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,664 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Senior Electronics Engineer - Underwater Robotics

EV.Careers

Irvine, CA • On-site

$145 - $220/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Irvine, United States | Posted on 07/14/2026

We're hiring a Senior Electronics Engineer for a small-team underwater robotics manufacturer in Irvine that builds ROVs used by the Navy, oil and gas operators, marine research groups, and commercial dive teams worldwide. This is a hands-on IC seat where you'll own the electronics side of new product development: schematic capture, PCB design, motor drive, battery systems, embedded firmware, sealed enclosures, and sensor integration on hardware that ships to real customers.

If you're at a big company waiting six months for a design review to close, this is the opposite. You'll ship real hardware, fast, on a small team where the person who designs the board also brings it up.

Comp: $145,000 to $220,000 base depending on level of experience, DOE, plus performance bonus. Onsite in Irvine.What you'll actually do
  • Own PCB design in Altium (or transition from Cadence, OrCAD, PADS, Mentor, or KiCad; a 3 to 4 week ramp is fine for someone senior)
  • Design and validate power electronics: DC power distribution, motor drive for underwater thrusters, battery management, charging and protection circuits
  • Write and debug embedded firmware on ARM Cortex M, STM32, PSoC, or similar for real-time control
  • Design sealed and pressure-rated electronics for underwater operation: conformal coating, enclosure integration, connector selection, waterproofing
  • Integrate sensors, comms modules, and control systems into finished product
  • Take a board from concept through bring-up, validation, and manufacturing release
RequirementsWhat we need you to bring
  • 5 or more years of hands-on electronics design experience on shipping products
  • Strong PCB design chops with a professional tool (Altium preferred; adjacent tools OK with willingness to transition)
  • Real power electronics or motor drive experience on production hardware
  • Embedded firmware fluency at the register level, not just app-layer
  • Comfort at a workbench with oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and power supply solving real problems
  • Ability to work onsite in Irvine
  • Marine, subsea, ROV, AUV, UUV, or underwater electronics background
  • Sealed, ruggedized, or IP-rated hardware experience (medical implants, aerospace, defense, EV, industrial automation all count)
  • Battery pack design for high-drain applications
  • Active DoD clearance (some of our work supports Navy customers)
  • Experience owning a product end to end from prototype through production
  • Multi-hat, small-team engineering culture experience
Why this seat over your current job
  • Small team, so you own the hardware end to end instead of being one specialist on a 40-person program
  • Real product that ships to global customers today, not a lab prototype or PowerPoint concept
  • Hands-on IC track, no forced move into people-management to progress
  • Direct line to the product roadmap; if you think a design should change, you talk to the person who decides
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and company-paid holidays
  • Fast decision cycles and short reporting chain
Logistics
  • Onsite in Irvine, CA
  • Occasional travel up to 15% for customer sites and sea trials
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds when handling test equipment and prototype hardware
  • Authorized to work in the US
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and company-paid holidays
  • Fast decision cycles and short reporting chain
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply