Project Engineer

University of Victoria; Victoria; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Networks Canada seeks a Project Engineer to design, plan and implement new systems for the ONC observatories. The role involves supporting the wet plant and existing systems, coordinating with the Testing & Development and Field Services teams, and ensuring safety and reliability of marine assets.

A Bachelor's in Engineering and 5+ years' applicable experience are required, with PE membership or eligibility preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience installing and maintaining electronic systems (e.g. Acoustic, Radar, Oceanographic).
• Experience managing projects of varying size and complexity.
• Contract negotiation and management experience.
• Knowledge of marine materials, corrosion and thermal issues.
• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks) and database apps; office software.
• Mechanical workshop experience; use of hand/power tools, lathes/milling.
• Electronics assembly, wiring, soldering and cable potting.
• Experience with electronics testing equipment and tools.
• Knowledge of PC-based command, control and data acquisition.
• Knowledge of comms protocols (RS-232/422/485), Ethernet, TCP/IP, Modbus/UDP.
• Programming experience (C, Python, Matlab).

Responsibilities

• Lead projects designing, planning and implementing new systems for ONC observatories.
• Maintain wet plant and existing systems; support field operations.
• Collaborate with Testing & Development and Field Services teams to meet safety and reliability goals.
• Provide technical guidance and supervision for field operations and installation activities.

Skills

Electronics

Project management

Mechanical experience

Programming

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Database applications

Job description

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a world-leading organization supporting ocean discovery and technological innovation. ONC is as a not-for-profit society that operates and manages innovative cabled observatories on behalf of the University of Victoria that supply continuous power and Internet connectivity to various scientific instruments located in coastal, deep-ocean, and Arctic environments. ONC's cable arrays host hundreds of sensors distributed in, on and above the seabed along with mobile and land based assets strategically located, instruments that address key scientific and policy issues (subsea earthquakes and tsunamis, ocean acidification, marine biodiversity, etc.) within a wide range of environments.

ONC's Observatory Operations' division is mandated to provide a reliable and relevant digital and coastal and sub-sea infrastructure that facilitates the goals of the observatory user communities. As a department within Observatory Operations, Marine Operations supports this mandate through the installation, maintenance and repair of the cabled arrays, mobile systems and land-based assets that comprise the coastal sub-sea infrastructure. In this regard, Marine Operations utilizes a team-based, client-focused approach that promotes a safe work environment and fosters an environment of mutual respect, cooperation and support. Together the Field Services, Testing & Development and Operations Support units within Marine Operations work to efficiently, effectively and safely fulfill their core purpose. The Marine Technology Centre (MTC) in Sidney serves as the department's base of operations.

The Testing and Development unit designs, develops and maintains instruments and equipment, tests and qualifies both prior to deployment, and supports the planning and execution of field operations related to the observatories maintenance. The Field Services unit is primarily responsible for preparing for and executing field service operations related to the day-to-day workings of the cabled observatories and other mobile and land based assets. Both units' responsibilities include ship based activities that occur multiple times a year for up to four weeks duration, as well as day and multi day trips to service land and marine systems.

The Project Engineer provides technical expertise, consulting on and leading projects designing, planning and implementing new systems and equipment that work reliably and meet the needs of the science user community. The Project Engineer also contributes to the maintenance of the wet plant and existing systems that make up the ONC observatories. The Project Engineer reports to either the Testing & Development Manager (TDM) or the Field Services Manager (FSM). However, the Project Engineer may receive systems-related guidance or direction from either the TDM or FSM.

This position is expected to maintain Professional Engineering standards and certifications in forklift and crane operation, standard first aid or marine basic first aid, and a Transport Canada approved marine safety course.

This position, as with all Marine Operations positions, will on a rotating basis serve as the Marine Operations Safety Coordinator whose role it is to coordinate internal tasks required to ensure safety equipment, training and records are in place to meet Marine Operations workplace safety requirements. The Safety Coordinator sits on the ONC Joint Local Safety Committee.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of five years' experience in an applicable Engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

The candidate must either be a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of British Columbia, or be eligible to become a member.

Essential qualifications include experience with oceanographic instrumentation and equipment, shipboard experience including planning recovery and deployment of marine equipment and exposure to back deck and ROV operations, as well as a strong technical background in relevant technologies.

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience installing and maintaining electronic systems (e.g. Acoustic, Radar, Oceanographic)
• Experience managing projects of various size and complexity that required the application of engineering know-how in the field
• Contract negotiation and management experience
• Working knowledge of marine materials, corrosion and thermal issues
• Experience with CADD software systems (e.g. SolidWorks), database applications and standard office software
• Mechanical workshop experience; capable with hand and power tools, lathes and milling machines
• Strong electronics assembly and wiring, soldering and cable potting skills
• Experience with electronics testing equipment and tools
• Knowledge of PC based command, control and data acquisition
• Knowledge of communications protocols (e.g. 232, 422, 485), Ethernet hardware, TCP/IP, Modbus and UDP facility with systems-level hardware integration
• Programming experience (e.g. C, Python, Matlab)

Other

• Resourceful, with strong problem-solving abilities
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written and computational communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to work collegially within a team as well as independently

Assets

• Experience designing subsea equipment, including underwater enclosures, seabed structures and deployment rigging
• Experience developing kernel drivers for embedded systems
• Experience developing software and hardware involving microprocessor-based control systems
• Ability to process data from oceanographic instruments and assess data quality
• Forklift certification
• A Transport Canada approved marine safety course such as Small Craft Basic Safety
• A current Standard First Aid or Marine Basic First Aid certificate