Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels.

Reporting to the Marine Operations Manager, the Instrumentation/Operations Technician is responsible for the operation, integration, maintenance, and calibration of scientific equipment on MBARI oceanographic platforms. Primary responsibilities are to manage and maintain CTD systems for the institute’s core oceanographic platforms. Additionally, the incumbent works with engineers, scientists, vessel crews, and pilots in the development, operation, and maintenance of oceanographic instrumentation.

This individual maintains and serves as primary operator for CTD rosette and surface mapping systems on two of MBARI’s ships, R/V David Packard and R/V Rachel Carson. This includes the maintenance of the hardware, data acquisition at sea, processing of the data, and loading the data into the Biological Oceanography Group database. Trains ship crew and science technicians for CTD operations and maintenance. In addition, the technician maintains the CTD system on each ROV, and performs maintenance and calibration of the core sensor systems and daily checks of the data. Also, maintains sensor pool for Mini ROV, Compact Rosette, Long Range and Dorado AUV platforms. Evaluates and integrates new and improved sensors as they become available. As “Core CTD” project manager, the individual is responsible for the project proposal, coordination of activities, and budget resources. This position is an integral part of the MBARI Data Users Committee (MDUC), and is responsible for data quality issues from core MBARI sensors.

The individual also supports MBARI’s marine assets that include but are not limited to ROV’s and their tool sleds, sensor packages, experimental marine science equipment and vessels. They assist in the integration and staging of equipment for scientific related submersibles cruises and other offshore devices. Maintains sea-going science equipment so that it operates in a safe, smooth and reliable manner. Identifies and troubleshoots problems, repairs and makes recommendations for improvements in equipment and or testing procedures as necessary. This position also performs other related instrumentation duties as required. The incumbent participates in research cruises at sea on MBARI and other vessels as required. Performs a variety of support work in the planning, design, and fabrication of mechanical or electronic devices related to ROV’s, science, and vessel systems.

Job requirements:
• Must be proficient in standard MS Office software products. Programming abilities in LABVIEW and familiarity with MATLAB software is desirable.
• Experience with designing parts in 3D CAD systems, preferably SolidWorks is desirable.
• Must possess excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills and be able to work with various levels of scientific and engineering backgrounds.
• Must be willing and able to go to sea for up to 10 days at a time. Other work-related travel may be required.

Required qualifications:
• Associate’s degree in a technical or scientific field or equivalent and five years related experience required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience in the development, maintenance, operation, and integration of oceanographic instrumentation is required.
• Previous experience operating and maintaining SEABIRD oceanographic instrumentation is desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency with serial communications protocols, basic AC / DC electronics, and electronic test equipment is required. Ability to perform basic analysis, troubleshooting, and operation of hydraulic and electronic circuits to the module or board level is desirable
• Transportation Identification Workers Card (TWIC) required, or if not in possession, it must be obtained within ninety days.