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Field Operations Technician

Sunfish Inc

Sunfish Inc

Operations · Full-time
Tallahassee, FL, USA
USD 24-40 / hour
Posted on Mar 13, 2026

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Report To: Director of Field Operations

Job Type: Full-time, On-site

Sunfish is revolutionizing infrastructure inspection and water resource management with advanced autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). We build and deploy the robotic systems that enable access to the world’s most challenging underwater environments. We are scaling this mission to become the global leader in underwater technology across inshore, coastal, and maritime sectors.

We achieve this by staying true to our operational values:

  • Prioritize Safety: We integrate safety into every phase of work, from planning to execution. We never compromise on the wellbeing of our team or the integrity of our operations.

  • Navigate with Purpose: We make informed decisions quickly, balancing analysis and action. We move with focus towards our vision, adapting our approach as we go.

  • Go Where No One Has Gone: We are explorers at heart. We are comfortable with the risks of innovating new solutions and entering unmapped environments.

  • Trust Me, I’m with Robot: We build trust through honesty, transparency, and accountability, engineering it into our work. Our customers rely on us because our technology is rigorous, tested, and reliable.

The Opportunity: Regional Leadership

Sunfish is establishing a new regional hub in Tallahassee, Florida to support critical survey projects. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Regional Field Operations Technician to partner with our Lead Robotics Engineer as a core two-person team for the Southeast. This is an immediate opening for a technical expert. You will not just operate the robot, you will help build it and ensure our hardware is 100% mission-ready at all times.

Career Trajectory: This position is designed to evolve. As you master field operations and client workflows, the goal is for this role to transition into a Regional Operations Manager, where you will train deployment teams and oversee the region's operational success.

What You Will Do

1. Hardware Stewardship

  • Complete System Ownership: You are the primary owner of the fleet's mechanical integrity. You must be able to fully assemble and disassemble complex AUV systems from the chassis up, identifying and fixing issues that would cause field failures.

  • Integration & Repair: Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot sensors, instruments, and propulsion systems. You will diagnose complex electromechanical failures on the bench and in the field.

  • Maintenance: In underwater robotics, a loose seal or pinched wire causes mission failure. You execute maintenance with rigorous, almost obsessive attention to detail.

  • R&D Feedback: Collaborate with engineering to identify hardware improvements, serving as the bridge between the real world conditions and the design lab.

2. Field Robotics & Safety

  • Expeditionary Deployments: Execute 2-person field deployments in challenging environments (water infrastructure, caves, open ocean). You are responsible for the logistics, launch, and recovery of heavy robotic equipment.

  • Safety Lead: Act as the on-site safety officer. You have the authority and responsibility to halt operations if safety protocols (personal or equipment) are compromised.

  • Mission Planning & Execution: Participate in pre-deployment planning and execute project plans. You will create detailed field notes and help ensure survey data meets client specifications.

  • Training: As the region grows, you will help develop a training program for new field technicians.

2. Lab Management & QA

  • Own the Space: Manage a 500 sq. ft. lab, including inventory control, tool maintenance, and logistics for deployments.

  • Data Chain of Custody: Oversee physical data security, ensuring hard drives and sensitive client information are secured according to company protocols.

  • Operational Tempo: Maintain a high operational tempo, ensuring a quick turnaround from field data collection to client documentation delivery.

3. Technical Sales Support

  • Subject Matter Expert: Serve as the technical authority during facility tours. You will explain the engineering behind our systems to build client trust in our capabilities.

  • Client Success: Ensure high customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality data, documentation and responding to client needs with professionalism and transparency.

Who You Are

  • Technically Versatile: You have hands-on experience with underwater robots (AUVs/ROVs), electromechanical systems, and/or marine survey equipment.

  • A Fixer: You don't need a manual to know what needs to be done next. You see a messy lab, you organize it. You see a broken thruster, you fix it.

  • Field Resilient: You thrive in outdoor/marine environments, are comfortable on vessels, and can lift heavy equipment (50+ lbs)

  • Startup Mindset: You are comfortable wearing multiple hats—one day you are soldering a circuit board, the next you are briefing a client.

Qualifications

Required

  • Experience: 4+ years of hands-on experience assembling, maintaining, and repairing marine equipment, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems.

  • Education: Associate degree or certification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

  • Technical Skills: Proficient with electronics (soldering, assembly, testing), electromechanical assembly or fabrication experience.

  • Teamwork: Team player with proactive communication skills, able to maintain communications with a distributed team.

  • Physical: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for prolonged periods on vessels, and work in outdoor weather conditions.

  • Logistics: Clean driving record and ability to obtain a valid passport.

  • Legal: US Citizen or Green Card Holder.

Preferred

  • Certifications: Wilderness First Responder

  • Background: Experience in marine logistics, offshore operations, or field engineering.

  • Technical Skills: Proficient with mechanical or electronic CAD software, Linux systems, embedded programming.

  • Survey Knowledge: Experience in underwater survey techniques, hydrography, and operating relevant sensors. Professional Certified Florida Surveyor is a plus.

Sunfish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

Benefits

Salaried position

401(k) with matching

Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible schedule and Flexible Time Off

Pay: $24.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • 401(k)

  • 401(k) matching

  • Dental insurance

  • Flexible schedule

  • Health insurance

  • Health savings account

  • Life insurance

  • Paid time off

  • Retirement plan

  • Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

  • Are you physically able to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs and work for prolonged periods in the field or on vessels in various outdoor weather conditions?

  • How many years of experience do you have performing field-level troubleshooting and mission-critical repairs on complex electromechanical or robotic systems in remote environments?

  • Are you willing to undergo a background check, in accordance with local law/regulations?

Education:

  • Associate (Required)

Experience:

  • electromechanical system: 4 years (Required)

License/Certification:

  • Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

  • 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Sunfish Inc is an equal opportunity employer.
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