Associate Ocean Engineer
Role Snapshot
CompanyConfidential Employer
LocationGroton, Connecticut, USA
IndustryDefense
CompensationDOE
Employment TypeFull Time/Direct Hire
Remote StatusNo Remote
Total Openings1
Opportunity
Imagine starting your engineering career at the heart of ocean innovation, where every day brings a new technical puzzle to solve. This confidential employer is a small, research-driven company that puts you on the front lines of marine technology, from concept sketches to at-sea trials. If you want your work to have immediate, visible impact and you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced setting, this is the place to start.
Your work will span the entire lifecycle of complex maritime systems. You will help design and build oceanographic moorings, fabricate and test subsea cables, maintain unmanned platforms, and write the procedures that make it all repeatable. You will be on the deck and in the lab, turning ideas into hardware that actually goes in the water. Your contributions will directly support projects that matter, and you will collaborate with experts who are eager to mentor you.
We are looking for someone who pairs a degree in ocean engineering with real mechanical or electrical hands-on skills. You can read a schematic, use a multimeter, and explain your results in clear writing. You are organized, curious, and ready to travel occasionally for sea testing. Bonus points if you have dabbled in CAD, soldering, or Linux—but what matters most is your drive to learn and your ability to jump into a small team and make things work.
This entry-level role comes with full relocation support and the chance to build a career in a company that celebrates technical excellence and entrepreneurial energy. Every day you will work alongside people who value fresh ideas and give you the room to grow. If you are ready to start your engineering journey where the ocean meets innovation, we want to see your application.
Non-Negotiables
- You must hold a B.S. degree in Ocean Engineering or a closely related field
- A strong mechanical and/or electrical aptitude is required, with the ability to solve moderately complex problems independently
- You need to read and interpret mechanical drawings and electrical schematics accurately
- Proficiency with basic hand tools and electrical test and measurement equipment is essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary to document and report findings clearly to colleagues, customers, and vendors
- You must be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams
What's In It For You
- Full relocation support is provided to help you settle in Groton or Pawcatuck, Connecticut
- You will work on exciting, technically challenging projects that expose you to a wide variety of emerging maritime technologies
- The small-company environment rewards technical excellence and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit, giving you a direct line to innovation
- You will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers who truly value creativity and fresh ideas
- This role offers unique growth opportunities through multidisciplinary learning and hands-on experience across the entire engineering lifecycle
- You will join a team where your contributions are visible and make a real impact from the start
Responsibilities
- Support the full arc of marine system development from conceptual design through fabrication, testing, integration, and sustainment
- Travel to testing sites as needed, approximately 5-15% of the year, to ensure successful field operations
- Design and fabricate oceanographic moorings and subsea wet cables for critical maritime applications
- Maintain and operate oceanographic instrumentation and unmanned platforms to support ongoing projects
- Write detailed procedures for fabrication, integration, and testing to standardize processes and improve repeatability
- Prepare for and execute both pier-side and at-sea testing, integrating and optimizing test gear for successful sea trials
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Altium, ORCAD, or similar electronic schematic capture and simulation tools is a strong plus
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, CAD, or another solid modeling tool will help you contribute to design reviews quickly
- Basic familiarity with Linux-based systems and command-line interfaces is desirable
- Prior experience at sea or familiarity with offshore rigging and maritime operations gives you an edge
- Knowledge of acoustic propagation models, beamforming, or localization methods is highly valued
- Hands-on skills with electronics assembly, wiring, crimping, and soldering are a significant advantage
- Experience working in an R&D environment within small multidisciplinary teams rounds out the ideal candidate profile
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