Job Description

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Engineer to join the Environmental and Information Systems Department.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Principal Oceanographer, the Research Engineer will support autonomous sensing and simulation of the ocean environment. The incumbent will independently design and oversee the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and their sensor/processing packages, and will deploy and test AUVs for sponsor-required applications.  The finalist selected will also design, build, test, and demonstrate new capabilities for numerical simulation of the oceanographic environment for assessment of AUV system flight performance.  The Research Engineer performs work on the cutting edge of applied marine robotics, particularly in the domain of physical sensing and real-time ocean modeling to support Navy-sponsored programs.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Research Activities (70% FTE):

• Oversee the design and development of autonomous underwater platforms and their sensor/processing packages.

• Collaborate with co-PIs and sponsors to design new concepts of operation for these systems, and demonstrate those concepts in at-sea testing events.

• Track and schedule progress and work both in the lab and with outside vendors to meet deadlines.

• Design, configure, and implement high-performance computer servers for ocean modeling and analysis.

• Develop technical support and system administration for Linux-based analysis servers supporting advanced high-performance computing (HPC) workflows.

• Support software installation and user support, monitor and optimize RAID storage systems, and manage large datasets generated on HPC systems and stored on group-maintained infrastructure.

• Balance the competing requests of funding agencies, peer collaborators, and industry partners to optimally succeed in funded programs and grow as a lab.

 

Fundraising and Reporting (15% FTE):

• Pursue funding opportunities through routine channels, particularly Navy program offices, DARPA, or other applied defense-oriented sponsors.

• Produce material for peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications as in conjunction with co-investigators and sponsors. 

 

Laboratory Management (15% FTE):

• Collaborate with co-investigators to manage laboratory team efforts such as meetings, local testing, and domestic and international field testing.

• Supervise and advise both lab staff and supporting collaborator and contractor personnel.

• Source and follow up with vendors.

 

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline, and at least ten years of progressive experience in research, development, and application of novel marine technologies on autonomous underwater vehicles with successful field programs.

 

Additionally, the candidate must have:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

• US Citizenship.

 

A federal security clearance is required to hold this position. The person hired into this position must be a U.S. citizen and successfully obtain and continue to maintain a Department of Defense (DOD) Personnel Security Clearance. The process for obtaining a DOD Security Clearance can be viewed using the following links: Processing Applicants (dcsa.mil) or General Investigations and Clearance Processes (dcsa.mil)

 

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

 

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and administering enterprise-level high-performance computing systems.

• Experience with development and at-sea testing of underwater vehicle operations.

• Experience with developing software for sensor autonomy, data processing, and data visualization.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Operational management, staff supervision, and small team dynamics.

 

 

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$168,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$200,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable