Maritime Robotics Field Engineer

Saltenna; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Saltenna is looking for a Maritime Robotics Field Engineer in Virginia to integrate and test unmanned maritime systems. Responsibilities include deploying and maintaining platforms in the field, troubleshooting communications equipment, and collaborating with engineering teams. The candidate must have hands-on experience with RF systems and a willingness to work in marine environments. A competitive salary is offered, commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with RF systems, maritime electronics, and unmanned platforms.
• Ability to obtain security clearance.
• Willingness to travel and operate in marine or remote field environments.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, operate, and maintain unmanned maritime platforms during field tests.
• Integrate and troubleshoot communications equipment, including radio modems and antennas.
• Conduct RF and communications tests and report findings.

Skills

RF systems

Maritime electronics

Unmanned platforms

Troubleshooting hardware

Communications systems

Troubleshooting

Travel

Networking systems

Job description

Overview

Saltenna is building next‑generation communications for maritime robotics and unmanned systems. The Maritime Robotics Field Engineer plays a hands‑on role in integrating Saltenna's antennas and radios with a broad array of USV and UUV platforms, testing them in the field, and supporting deployment.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, operate, and maintain unmanned maritime platforms during field tests and exercises.
• Integrate Saltenna’s communications systems with a variety of third‑party maritime unmanned systems.
• Integrate and troubleshoot communications equipment, including radio modems, antennas, cabling, galvanic isolators, sensors, and compute hardware.
• Conduct RF and communications tests in maritime environments and report findings to engineering and science teams.
• Diagnose issues across maritime, mechanical, electrical, and communications systems during field operations.
• Work alongside engineers to prototype, test, and iterate new capabilities quickly.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with RF systems, maritime electronics, and unmanned platforms.
• Field‑ and travel‑capable.
• Comfortable operating with incomplete information and evolving requirements.
• Ability to obtain security clearance; applicant selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need eligibility for access to classified information.
• Strong hands‑on experience with electronics, RF systems, and maritime autonomous vehicles.
• Experience with maritime radios, antennas, and networking systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot across hardware, power, and communications stacks.
• Willingness to travel and operate in marine or remote field environments.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with production ROVs, USVs, or UUVs from L3Harris, Saildrone, Saronic, or similar.
• Experience with the unique environmental and operational challenges of maritime systems.
• Experience developing or deploying subsea sensing or communications systems.
• Experience working on government contracts.
• Small boat operations experience.
• Diver certification (PADI Open Water or Scuba certified).

Compensation

Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.

Equal Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.