Robotics Software Engineer (Engineer II)

Job Summary

Job Description

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to join the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF). This is a regular, full-time, exempt position and its eligible for benefits. This position supports underwater vehicles and associated oceanographic systems. The engineer will develop, integrate, test, and maintain software used to operate robotic vehicles, acquire scientific data, and turn data collected at sea into reliable scientific and engineering products. This position offers the opportunity to work on software that supports human-occupied, remotely operated, and autonomous underwater vehicles, including HOV Alvin, ROV Jason, and AUV Sentry.

The successful candidate will work with engineers, technicians, vehicle operators, scientists, and external collaborators in the laboratory and at sea. The work spans the full lifecycle of marine robotic systems, from design and bench testing through vehicle integration, field operations, troubleshooting, and post-deployment analysis. The ideal candidate is excited to brainstorm creative engineering approaches to science problems, combine existing tools like ROS1/ROS2 with developing technologies like AI/ML, and validate them in the field under demanding conditions. We're looking for a self-starter who gets fulfillment seeing their ideas come to life operationally.

This is an Engineer II position on WHOI's engineering ladder. With some supervision to achieve assigned objectives, the engineer will identify and participate in engineering projects in support of scientific and research activities through demonstrated skill in robotics software, embedded or real-time systems, scientific computing, or a related area. Assignments will require creativity, independent thinking, sound engineering judgment, and a proven understanding of fundamental engineering and research principles.

The engineer will contribute to the continued development and modernization of WHOI's marine robotics software ecosystem. Current work includes maintaining operational ROS 1 systems; developing and deploying ROS 2 software; migrating proven capabilities between generations of the software stack; integrating navigation, control, sonar, acoustic, optical, and environmental sensors; improving simulation and operator interfaces; and developing reproducible pipelines for post-dive navigation and scientific data products.

Because these systems operate in remote and demanding environments, reliability, testability, observability, and clear documentation are central to the position. The engineer must be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and must be willing to support vehicle testing and operations at sea.

Essential Functions & Duties

• Conceptualize, design, implement, and test software solutions for underwater robotic vehicles and oceanographic instrumentation.
• Develop and maintain modular robotics software in modern C++ and Python on Linux-based systems, primarily using ROS 1 and ROS 2.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, navigation systems, data loggers, operator interfaces, and vehicle subsystems using serial, Ethernet, UDP/TCP, CAN, and other device interfaces and protocols.
• Contribute to navigation, vehicle control, mission execution, health monitoring, simulation, visualization, and scientific data-acquisition capabilities.
• Port and validate operational capabilities from legacy systems to modern software architectures while preserving interfaces, behavior, and data compatibility where required.
• Develop automated tests, simulation tools, replay workflows, and regression datasets to verify software before deployment and to reproduce issues observed during field operations.
• Diagnose and resolve software, networking, timing, sensor-integration, and electromechanical system problems in the laboratory and at sea.
• Process, analyze, visualize, and quality-control vehicle and scientific data; contribute to reproducible post-dive workflows and data products.
• Participate in system design reviews, code reviews, integration tests, vehicle readiness activities, mobilization and demobilization, and field or at-sea operations.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, test plans, operating procedures, engineering reports, and software user documentation. May independently author reports or articles within the engineer's area of responsibility.
• Communicate technical results and operational status clearly to engineering staff, vehicle operators, scientists, ship's crew, and collaborators.
• Contribute to safe, reliable vehicle operations and follow applicable software-development, laboratory, cybersecurity, and shipboard safety practices.
• May provide technical guidance to students, interns, or other personnel and may supervise defined tasks as assigned.

Required Experience & Education

• Master's degree in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, ocean engineering, or another appropriate field with minimal relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with several years of relevant experience; or equivalent demonstrated engineering competency and progressively independent relevant work experience in the absence of a formal degree.
• Demonstrated experience developing and debugging software in C++ or Python.
• Experience developing with ROS 1 and/or ROS 2, including nodes, messages, services, actions, launch systems, transforms, diagnostics, rosbag/MCAP data, and common build tools.
• Working knowledge of Linux and collaborative software-development practices, including version control, code review, testing, and technical documentation.
• Experience integrating software with hardware, sensors, instruments, embedded computers, robotic systems, or other networked physical systems.
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals creatively, assess tradeoffs, communicate risks, and carry an assigned technical effort from design through testing and deployment with some supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work constructively in multidisciplinary teams, including under time-sensitive field conditions.

Preferred Experience & Education

• Experience with marine robotics, AUVs, ROVs, HOVs, mobile robots, or other field robotic systems.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following: navigation and sensor fusion; guidance and control; mission systems; sonar or acoustic systems; vehicle simulation; time synchronization; scientific data processing; operator GUI development.
• Experience developing device drivers and troubleshooting serial or network communications, such as RS-232/422/485, NMEA, UDP/TCP, or CAN.
• Experience with automated testing, continuous integration, static analysis, software packaging, containers, or reproducible deployment workflows.
• Familiarity with scientific Python tools such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, xarray, matplotlib, or related data-analysis and visualization libraries.
• Practical experience using electronic test equipment, reading schematics, or troubleshooting integrated electrical and mechanical systems.
• Previous fieldwork and/or sea-going experience.

Special Requirements:

• TWIC
• Must be a US Citizen
• Security Clearance

Additional Job Requirements

Additional Job Description

Salary Range: $89,408 - $116,127

The salary range provided for this position reflects the expected minimum and maximum base pay for new hires. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions. In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.

SEA DUTY:

May work at least 8 hours per day and, at times in excess of 12 hours per day, 7 days per week. Sleep and work hours can deviate from those on land. May be expected to work on watch schedule (such as 8 hours on and 8 hours off or 12 hours on and 8 hours off) for all or part of a cruise or to work as hours are needed to accomplish the planned work. May need to travel during holidays and for long distances to and from foreign ports. May experience rudimentary living and working conditions, with shared and basic living quarters and laboratories. May experience bad or extreme weather conditions, including heavy seas, winter weather or hot, tropical weather. Work on deck may occur in both hot and cold conditions around the clock. Sea conditions will lead to active ship motion. Should be able to climb steep and vertical ladders and able to enter and exit compartments through hatches, doors, and sills. Should be able to carry heavy gear and participate in the loading and unloading of the ship as well as in the activities on deck and in the labs during the cruise. Shipboard environment may include: confined areas, shared sleeping quarters (berths) and bathroom facilities, small and basic berthing, fixed mealtimes and basic menus. Modest levels of heating, cooling, ventilation, and illumination limited or no email and internet access and limited off-duty and recreational facilities (library, lounge, movies). May be exposed to potential allergens and irritants, including paint fumes. May experience constant and intermittent loud noises, and slippery and uneven surfaces.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical duties for this position include but are not limited to, ability to lift less than 25 lbs independently, 2 times per day; carry 10-25 lbs, 2 times per day. Visual abilities to include near, far, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to distinguish basic colors. Hearing requirements include the ability to hear and respond to instructions, communicate effectively in loud areas (pier/dock, warehouse). Other physical tasks include occasional prolonged standing/walking; use of hands for basic /fine grasping and manipulation, repetitive motion, reaching above and below the shoulders, pushing, pulling, kneeling, bending, twisting, and stooping. Other occupational requirements include talking, traveling, working around others, and with others. Will be exposed to dust or other irritants and electrical/mechanical/power equipment hazards. Physical duties are subject to change.

WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.

EEO Statement

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.