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Underwater Model Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

... underwater acoustic principlesUnderstanding of electronic systems with embedded SW applicationsExperience in developing computer-based performance models in MATLAB to support system concept/design ...

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

Understanding of underwater acoustic principles * Understanding of electronic systems with embedded SW applications * Experience in developing computer-based performance models in MATLAB to support ...

L3HHCM20

Lead, Systems Engineering

Yorba Linda, CA · Hybrid

$127K - $236K/yr

... including Underwater Acoustics, Telemetry, Communications, Data Recording systems, and/or Radar. Essential Functions: * Support digital engineering and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Sonatech

Systems/Project Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

Understanding of underwater acoustic principles * Understanding of electronic systems with embedded SW applications * Experience in developing computer-based performance models in MATLAB to support ...

Actalent

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$125K - $180K/yr

Maintain SolidWorks models, engineering documentation, manufacturing files, and design records ... underwater navigation technologies. * Hands-on mechanical aptitude, including machining ...

Actalent

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$125K - $180K/yr

Maintain SolidWorks models, engineering documentation, manufacturing files, and design records ... underwater navigation technologies. * Hands-on mechanical aptitude, including machining ...

GRVTY

Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer

Ventura, CA · On-site

... Underwater Vehicle (AUV) family of vehicles and advanced navigation products. In this role you will ... Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and documentation compliant with internal ...

GRVTY

Senior Systems Engineer

Ventura, CA · On-site

$111K - $153K/yr

Familiarity with underwater navigation sensors and systems (INS, DVL, acoustic, etc) * Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools * Active DoD clearance #Ll-CH1

Slope

Integration and Test Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$99 - $130/hr

By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative ... Join our dynamic team and help us build the next generation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs ...

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Underwater Model information

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How much do underwater model jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for underwater model in California is $30.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $38.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an underwater model?

Underwater models are professional models who specialize in posing and performing in aquatic environments, such as pools, oceans, or tanks, for photography, film, or commercial projects. They must be skilled at holding their breath, appearing relaxed underwater, and often work with specialized photographers to create striking visual images. Underwater modeling requires strong swimming abilities, comfort in water, and the ability to manage hair, wardrobe, and facial expressions despite challenging conditions. This niche modeling field is used for fashion shoots, advertising, fine art, and even film productions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underwater model?

To thrive as an Underwater Model, you need strong swimming ability, breath control, physical fitness, and experience in modeling or performance, often supported by underwater safety training or diving certifications. Familiarity with underwater photography equipment, lighting techniques, and safety gear such as weights or diving masks is essential. Poise, adaptability, and the ability to follow direction are important soft skills for posing gracefully and working safely in challenging aquatic environments. These skills ensure stunning visual results while maintaining safety and professionalism during underwater shoots.

What are some common challenges faced by underwater models during photo shoots?

Underwater models often encounter challenges such as maintaining natural expressions and poses while holding their breath, managing buoyancy, and dealing with water temperature and clarity. Visibility and communication with photographers can be limited, requiring strong non-verbal cues and pre-shoot planning. Additionally, the need to work with props or wardrobe underwater can add complexity, making adaptability and strong swimming skills essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Underwater Model vs Scuba Diver?

AspectUnderwater ModelScuba Diver
CertificationsModeling certifications, often from fashion or commercial agenciesOpen Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver certifications
Work EnvironmentPhoto shoots, fashion shows, promotional events underwaterRecreational diving, underwater exploration, training dives
Industry UsageFashion, advertising, commercial modelingRecreation, tourism, underwater research

Underwater Models primarily focus on photo shoots and promotional work in controlled environments, requiring modeling certifications. Scuba Divers engage in recreational or professional diving activities, requiring specific diving certifications. While both work underwater, their roles, skills, and industry applications differ significantly.

How to become an underwater model?

To become an underwater model, you should have strong swimming skills, comfort in water, and experience holding your breath for extended periods. Many underwater models also learn scuba diving or snorkeling, and some pursue training in underwater photography or modeling to improve their skills and safety awareness.

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

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

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

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

Underwater Model jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underwater Model job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,391 per year, or $31 per hour.

Principal Scientist - Underwater Acoustics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Sofar Ocean
Internet and IT • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Sofar Oceanexternal

$150K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

The Role
Sofar designs, builds, and deploys ocean sensing networks at a global scale to power ocean intelligence. We are expanding our sensing and intelligence capabilities into underwater acoustics and looking for a world-class expert in ocean acoustics to set the technical product vision for Sofar's underwater acoustics platform.
Responsibilities
  • Lead Sofar's underwater acoustics strategy, defining the technical vision for an underwater acoustics platform that supports real-world marine applications.
  • Develop capabilities to detect, classify, localize, and track acoustic sources and targets using passive and/or active techniques.
  • Drive AI/ML model development for edge-based and cloud-based acoustic intelligence models.
  • Advance methods for mapping and characterizing the ocean soundscape-including ambient noise fields, acoustic propagation conditions (e.g., sound-speed structure and transmission loss), and the oceanographic and geoacoustic context that drives them.
  • Provide an acoustics-centric perspective on sensing system design-including hydrophone/array selection, calibration, and geometry-as well as deployment strategy, data quality, and performance validation.
  • Collaborate with Sofar's ocean and sensing scientists, hardware and software engineers, to translate acoustics domain expertise into operational products.
  • Design and conduct field experiments, at-sea data collection, data analyses, and modeling and simulation studies (including propagation and detection-performance modeling) to evaluate acoustic system performance under realistic ocean conditions.
  • Help define product requirements, technical roadmaps, and 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
  • Practical 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 in the real world
  • 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 leading externally funded research programs or strategic technical partnerships.
  • Enthusiasm and experience in leveraging LLMs to magnify personal impact
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. Under U.S. law, only U.S. citizens are eligible to obtain a security clearance.
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
  • $137,000 - $185,000
  • 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.
Our Approach to AI in the Hiring Process:
At Sofar, we use AI tools in our day-to-day work, and we don't expect our hiring process to be any different. Here's how we think about it:
Applying: Write your own first draft - we want to hear your voice and understand your real experience. AI is fine for refining and polishing, not for generating your story.
Take-home assessments: Complete these on your own unless we've explicitly said otherwise. We'll always be upfront about it when AI is allowed.
Interview prep: Go for it. Use AI to research Sofar, practice your responses, and sharpen your thinking before we meet.
During interviews: This is you. We're a small team and we move fast - live conversations are how we get to know you, and we're genuinely curious how you think in real time.
A note on transparency: We're a lean People team, and we use AI to help with things like drafting job descriptions, preparing interview questions, and candidate communications. We don't use it to make hiring decisions - those are always ours.
The through line: use AI to show more of yourself, not less :)
About Working at Sofar:
Visa sponsorship: We do sponsor visas and retain an immigration lawyer to support the process. While we can't guarantee sponsorship for every role or situation, if we make you an offer, we'll make every reasonable effort to make it work.
A note on applying: We mean it when we say we want the strongest people - not the most credentialed ones. If you're excited about this work but don't check every box, please apply anyway. Research consistently shows that underrepresented candidates are more likely to self-select out, and that's a loss for everyone. Sofar operates at the intersection of ocean science, climate, and technology - the problems we're solving are consequential, and the perspectives we bring to them matter. We're actively working to build a team that reflects that.

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