R&D Engineer 4 - 136294

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

8622 Kennel Way, San Diego, CA 92037, United States

#136294 R&D Engineer 4

Filing Deadline : Tue 10 / 14 / 2025

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UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 8 / 22 / 2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 9 / 2 / 2025. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This Position will remain open until filled.

DESCRIPTION

The Marine Physical Laboratory Division at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is seeking an experienced Research and Development Engineer 4.

The incumbent in this position shall :

Represent Principal Investigators at sponsor and collaborator meetings, workshops, and events.

Host sponsors, government performers, and industry suppliers and collaborators for both briefings and test events.

Generate briefing materials and brief as needed. Lead engineering teams through the - Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) process to advance undersea robotic platforms (specifically REMUS platforms) and their payloads from concept through fabrication, testing, and deployment.

Develop intuition for the scientific goals of the programs, with frequent communication with the Principal Investigators to allow for independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria; addressing complex engineering challenges that require in-depth assessment of systems and data needs in at-sea environments.

Provide strategic leadership and engineering expertise within a sea-going research team, supporting the research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of undersea systems, including marine robotics, payloads, support systems, and sensors.

Develop operator tactics, techniques, and procedures to support emerging undersea operations, providing operational training and skills assessments for sponsor-designated participants. Develop training curriculum.

Oversee the design, fabrication, and testing of engineered systems, integrating mechanical, electrical, and software elements, and lead operational testing in diverse marine environments.

Engage in documentation, reporting, and publication of experimental outcomes and test results.

Utilize advanced engineering principles and campus objectives to direct the work of a specialized engineering team in a research and / or training program.

Routinely address complex issues where a detailed evaluation of variable factors is essential, exercising independent judgment in selecting methodologies, techniques, and assessment criteria to achieve optimal results.

Lead a specialized engineering team in research and training programs, addressing complex challenges with advanced engineering principles and independent judgment to achieve effective results.

Uses advanced engineering concepts and campus objectives to lead and perform the work of an engineering team engaged in a specialized engineering field on a training and / or research program.

Regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.

Exercises independent judgment in proposing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria (including cost, schedule, and resources) and proposes solutions to the Principal Investigators for decision and execution.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong creativity and problem solving abilities to apply principles, practices and procedures within discipline to complete difficult assignments. In-depth and advanced knowledge of the engineering field. Applies principles, practices and procedures within discipline to complete most difficult, complex and significant assignments. Extensive knowledge and experience in launch and recovery methods of oceanographic equipment. Proven knowledge of at-sea ship and field operations.

Strong project management skills needed to assume responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives.

Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and influence others.

Exercise independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

Familiarity with the Preliminary and Critical Design Process to implement within technical research environment.

Ability to represent Principal Investigators at meetings and workshops

Prepares statements of work, monthly, and annual reports as required to support project objectives with respect to instrument design, development, performance, data analysis, and data presentation.

Ability to work in a highly collaborative manner; readily assess complex challenges and barriers and recommend effective resolutions.

Advanced knowledge associated with the planning, development, and fabrication of engineering systems. Strong proven knowledge of and experience in the design and fabrication of sensor payloads to interface into REMUS 600 and 100 vehicles, including active and passive underwater acoustic systems, autonomy processing systems.

Software development experience using C, Python, Java and Labview

Expertise with board-level programming and embedded microcontroller programming (C, C++, Assembly).

Knowledge of computer usage and microcontroller programming of embedded system programming, DSP / assembly, C / C++. Solidworks, Altium designer. Proven expertise in analog and digital design.

Experience with schematic design and PCB layout using Altium

Knowledge of embedded Linux systems for sensor integration on AUVs and SV3 Gliders. Network engineering onboard and within unmanned systems.

Advanced knowledge of specialized design work as well as the overall field.

Experience with engineering concept development, construction and testing of specialized oceanographic instrumentation involving all engineering specialties, i.e. electrical, electronic, mechanical, acoustic, and computer engineering specialties.

Advanced interpersonal and presentation skills.

Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. Proven experience in communicating with technical and scientific personnel. Proven ability to work with others under demanding conditions, sometimes for extended periods of time.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Obtain and / or maintain DOD security clearance as required.

Must be willing and able to travel - U.S. and International.

Must be willing to go to sea for up to 40 days / yr as required to conduct experiments.

Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range : Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent : Unclassified - No data available

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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