Autonomous Systems Operations Manager

Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute

Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute

Operations

Posted on May 27, 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. Our marine operations division supports two ocean-going vessels, a smaller day boat, and a wide variety of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). MBARI is near Monterey and Santa Cruz, as well as the Big Sur coast.

The Division of Marine Operations manages and operates ocean-going platforms for the MBARI, including two ROV-equipped ships, small boats, moorings, and a variety of submerged and surface-bound autonomous vehicles. Our work enables research in chemical, physical, and biological oceanography. The contributions of the incumbents will have a lasting impact on the ongoing mission of MBARI’s ocean research program, facilitating discoveries at the edge of technology and human exploration. If you have an interest in leading our work, then we would be excited to have you join our team.

This position provides operational leadership as well as personnel management for the team, ensuring that MBARI’s AUVs and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) operate reliably and effectively. The incumbent supervises the testing and operation of these vehicles, balancing long-term engineering roadmaps with immediate operational needs. Key qualifications include experience in marine asset operations, with the ability to integrate multiple platforms and optimize logistics and services for different users, as well as proven competence in team and project management.

Job duties and responsibilities:
The incumbent will lead a team of engineers, technicians, and professionals supporting the maintenance and deployment of MBARI’s fleet of autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, including Dorado-class deep water AUVs, Tethys-class Long Range AUVs, and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs).

Primary team management and supervisory duties include personnel management, career development, and resource allocation for the Autonomous Systems Operations group. The manager oversees staffing logistics for expeditions ranging from single-day local trials to multi-week international voyages, ensuring the right mix of technical capacity and expertise is in place for every mission. The incumbent, working with their team, will orchestrate the complex logistics of local and international expeditions, ensuring that all personnel, vehicle hardware, and software assets are seamlessly integrated onto a variety of research vessels. Additionally, they will develop and maintain long-range deployment schedules that balance ambitious scientific goals with team workload, safety, and vehicle maintenance requirements.

The role oversees a wide range of electrical, software, and mechanical engineering tasks necessary to maintain and improve each autonomous vehicle. They ensure technical excellence across the group’s multidisciplinary output, including firmware development, mechanical integration, and systems troubleshooting.

The incumbent oversees a wide range of electrical, software, and mechanical engineering tasks necessary to maintain and improve each autonomous vehicle. The Group Supervisor ensures technical excellence across the group’s multidisciplinary output, including firmware development, mechanical integration, and systems troubleshooting.

The position requires the willingness and ability to go to sea and work offshore for up to 6 weeks at a time. However, personal circumstances will be taken into account, and expedition plans are known well in advance.

Required qualifications:

  • Leadership: 3+ years of experience in a technical leadership and supervisory role.
  • Education & Engineering: A bachelor’s engineering degree (ME, EE, or SE) or equivalent, and at least 5 years of experience in hands-on engineering development or marine operations.
  • Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects, multidisciplinary teams, and complex logistics.
  • Operations: Experience with budget management, technical project road mapping, and mobilization on third-party vessels.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal, critical thinking, and communication skills; ability to work effectively independently and as a leader of teams.
  • Technical: Ability to work with Linux-based computers using text-terminal environments. Experience in systems engineering.

Desired qualifications:

  • Software: Proficiency in C/C++, Python, or Matlab; experience with Linux kernel code.
  • Electrical: Basic electrical engineering skills (reading/drawing schematics, hardware troubleshooting).
  • Mechanical: Understanding of mechanical engineering concepts (SolidWorks, design for manufacturability).
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