ROV Pilot

Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute

Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute

Posted on May 15, 2026

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.

MBARI invites candidates to apply for the ROV Pilot/Technician role. Reporting to the Chief ROV pilot, this position will be responsible for the operation, upgrade and maintenance of MBARI’s ROV Ventana. The incumbent will be responsible for hydraulic and mechanical tasks necessary to maintain the ROV systems as well as integrate new instruments and tools used in the collection of scientific data. In addition, the incumbent must have seagoing skills that enable them to launch, recover, track, and maintain ROVs at sea. The MBARI ROV programs are focused on both the successful accomplishment of science mission objectives and on the development of new technology to advance ocean science.

Key responsibilities

  • Pilot, navigate and maintain ROVs to support scientific objectives such as biological and geological observations and collections, habitat mapping, and experiment deployments.
  • Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic, mechanical, and electronics on both the ROV and associated instruments and payloads.
  • Safely launch, recover, and secure ROV systems from research vessels.
  • Conduct pre‑dive checks, post‑dive inspections, and routine preventative maintenance on ROV systems.
  • Maintain accurate dive logs, maintenance logs, and vehicle documentation.
  • Configure, integrate, and test scientific payloads and custom instrumentation.
  • Participate in development, design, testing, and refinement of new ROV components used in science missions.
  • Work closely with scientists, engineers and vessel crew to support MBARI’s interdisciplinary marine research.

This position requires the willingness and ability to work in a hazardous marine environment. The ROV Pilot goes to sea regularly on a near daily basis and may at times work up to 15 days continuously at sea between port calls.

Required qualifications:

  • Ability to lift 35 lbs.
  • S. in mechanical technology or equivalent education/experience.
  • Working knowledge of hydraulic motors, pumps, actuators, servo valves, solenoid valves,
  • compensation circuits and hydraulic plumbing.
  • Familiarity with basic machine shop equipment and the ability to perform fabrication tasks.
  • Basic computer skills in Windows/Linux.
  • Use of Solidworks or other mechanical modeling software.
  • Ability to be at sea for up to 15 days continuously.
  • This role requires working as part of a team, independently, and with diverse groups of people.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills are vital.

Desired qualifications:

  • The equivalent of 1-3 years’ experience piloting and maintaining medium to full size electro-hydraulic work class ROV’s is preferred (entry-level candidates with strong technical backgrounds considered).
  • Computer programming knowledge and experience with real-time operating systems.
  • Experience in sub-sea navigation, positioning systems and tracking systems (USBL).
  • Experience in the maintenance of mechanical and hydraulic systems.
  • Experience with electronics, including understanding schematics and troubleshooting
  • electrical systems.
  • Experience with fiber-optic communications, measurements and repairs.
  • Knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of large manipulator systems.
  • Knowledge of the operations of ROV Launch and Recovery systems.
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