MARE Electronics Technician (ET) Job Description

Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE), a non-profit fisheries organization, seeks a skilled Electronics Technician (ET) to maintain its small fleet of underwater vehicles in a state of readiness, including during expeditions offshore. MARE operates and maintains four Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), builds and operates other equipment. The job includes readying for, and maintaining equipment on research expeditions, and performing upgrades as needed. Initially the candidate will work with an experienced engineer with the intention of taking over the work as he/she becomes familiar with the system(s). There are approximately four expeditions a year, lasting from 5 to 30 days each.
 
The ideal candidate will have a strong electrical, electronics and computer background (including system networking), be a proven trouble-shooter, be tidy and organized, adventurous, and enjoy the ocean. Independence, self-reliance, a positive attitude, excellent troubleshooting abilities, seaworthiness and the ability to work well in tight quarters, for long durations, with people at sea are important. This position will be at the Richmond, California office. 
 
The Electronics Technician has two main areas of responsibility:
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1.     Onshore:

• Maintain MARE’s ROVs in a state of readiness. Become familiar with and perform diagnostics, maintenance, repair and replacement of all vehicle systems, including: high-voltage umbilical power; high-power BLDC thrusters and drivers; CWDM fiber optic communications; LED lighting; underwater optics and camera systems, including stereo and HD video; hydraulic manipulators; linear actuators; oil compensation systems and pressure-tolerant seals; serial communications and control; MCU firmware; control software, including PID loops, PWM, vehicle dynamics and pilot interfaces; time reference systems; multi-channel video processing, recording, and distribution; PC (Windows) systems, security and networking; galvanic corrosion control.
• Manage and operate integrated sensor and navigation systems, including Hypack navigation, BlueView sonar, Trackpoint III USBL acoustic tracking, and camera control, Seabird CTD, and others.
• Testing and re-termination of fiber optic umbilical and other cables, using optical power meters, OTDR, fusion splicer, and basic epoxy termination tools.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software using diagnostic software and tools such as circuit diagrams, voltmeter, oscilloscope, command line tools, Wireshark. Basic familiarity with IP networking and serial communications concepts and tools is necessary.
• Integrate new instruments and other equipment as required by clients.
• Specify, source and integrate parts and systems, including creative replacement of parts that are out of production.
• Some electronics design and fabrication, involving circuit design, schematic generation and PCB design using KiCad EDA; test, integration, and documentation.
• Some mechanical fabrication using hand tools and/or outsourcing to machine shops. Familiarity with high-pressure seals and materials is helpful.
• Maintain and extend existing software code bases for vehicle control (VB.net, C++, C, Python using VisualStudio, GIT, and other tools) and microcontrollers (C).
• Maintain system documentation.
• Organize and maintain workshop, storage of spare parts and tools.
• Support office technology such as routers, computers (Windows and Macintosh), printers, monitors, and wireless networks.
• Take initiative to stay informed about related technologies, organizations and people.

 
2.     Offshore:

• Ensure personnel safety and vehicle performance during operations. Basic familiarity with safety standards for offshore systems is important and can be learned on the job.
• Supervise ROV packing, and mobilization using packing lists and check lists. A valid driver’s license and clean record are helpful.
• Assist with mobilizing and offloading equipment onto boat. Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs. Setup and checkout of the ROV system including all instruments.
• Assist Deck Officer with ROV launch and recovery, and clump weight operation.
• Perform electrical/electronic tech support, troubleshooting, repairs and maintenance to minimize ROV down time.
• Download ROV video and stills to backup hard drives nightly.
• Learn to perform other duties such as piloting and navigating as needed.
• Get along well with scientists, and other offshore personnel.

 
Salary is dependent upon experience, and includes full benefits (health, vision, dental, and matching 401k).   
​Send cover letter and resume to info@maregroup.org