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Underwater Robotics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Description Are you excited about developing software that enables autonomous underwater vehicles to operate in challenging real-world environments? Do you enjoy combining robotics, dynamics ...

Nauticus Robotics

Software Engineer

Webster, TX · On-site

Company Description We are a leading subsea robotics company dedicated to developing cutting-edge autonomous and remotely operated underwater systems. Our team is composed of engineers and scientists ...

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Description Are you excited about developing software that enables autonomous underwater vehicles to operate in challenging real-world environments? Do you enjoy combining robotics, dynamics ...

Nauticus Robotics

Software Engineer

Webster, TX

Company Description We are a leading subsea robotics company dedicated to developing cutting-edge autonomous and remotely operated underwater systems. Our team is composed of engineers and scientists ...

Kraken Robotics

Software Developer Level 2, SAS

Previous experience developing software in the underwater robotics industry * Experience with the Nvidia Jetson computing platform * Experience with gRPC, containerization (e.g. docker), and service ...

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$11K

$291.6K

$400K

How much do underwater robotics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for underwater robotics in the United States is $291,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $250,000.00 and $394,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an underwater robotics job?

An Underwater Robotics job involves designing, building, operating, and maintaining robotic systems used in underwater environments. These robots, often called remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), perform tasks like ocean exploration, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Professionals in this field typically have expertise in robotics, engineering, and marine technology. They work in industries such as defense, marine research, oil and gas, and underwater archaeology.

What skills and qualifications are needed for underwater robotics?

To thrive in Underwater Robotics, you need a strong background in robotics engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, and computer programming, often supported by a relevant degree. Experience with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), underwater sensors, CAD software, and certifications such as commercial diving or ROV pilot technician are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving abilities, adaptability in extreme environments, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in this field. These competencies ensure safe, efficient design, deployment, and operation of robotic systems in challenging underwater settings.

What does a typical work environment look like for underwater robotics professionals?

Professionals in Underwater Robotics often split their time between laboratory settings, where they design and test robotic systems, and on-site field locations such as offshore platforms, research vessels, or underwater construction sites. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including oceanographers, engineers, and divers—is common to ensure the successful deployment and operation of robotics technology. While much of the job involves technical tasks like software coding and hardware integration, fieldwork may require travel and extended periods at sea. This dynamic work environment offers opportunities to develop versatile skills and contribute to cutting-edge marine technology projects.

What do underwater robotics engineers do?

Underwater robotics engineers design, develop, and test autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles used for exploration, research, and inspection. They work with sensors, control systems, and software to ensure the robots operate effectively in challenging aquatic environments. Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering is essential for this role.
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underwater robotics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underwater Robotics job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $291,565 per year, or $140.2 per hour.

Senior Electronics Engineer - Underwater Robotics

Irvine, CA • On-site

EV.Careers
See more jobs at EV.Careersexternal

$145 - $220/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 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
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