R&D Technician

Standard Subsea; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Standard Subsea is seeking a hands-on assembler in Los Angeles to build and test uncrewed surface vessels. You will assemble mechanical and electrical systems, read engineering drawings, and collaborate with engineers in the shop and on the water.

This role focuses on practical fabrication, wiring, debugging on the bench, and evolving with the team as you gain experience. Safety and organized work practices are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Ability to assemble mechanical and electrical systems from detailed guidelines.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and assembly instructions.
• Comfort with hand tools, power tools, and basic shop equipment.
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn, growing with the role over time.

Responsibilities

• Assemble mechanical and electrical systems for uncrewed vessels.
• Build wiring harnesses, terminate connectors, and solder as needed.
• Fabricate and modify parts with shop equipment and tools.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and improve designs on the bench.
• Support integration, testing, and field operations in shop and water environments.
• Help keep the workshop and equipment safe and organized.

Skills

Hands-on hardware

Reading engineering drawings

Curiosity and willingness to learn

Safety awareness

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Soldering

Welding (aluminum)

Job description

About Us

Standard Subsea builds uncrewed surface vessels for offshore work. We put inspection and survey capacity in the water without the crewed ships, the mobilization delays, or the cost that come with them. We think maritime work is going uncrewed, and we are building the fleet to do it.

The Role

We build real hardware, fast, and a design is just paper until someone makes it real. That is you. You assemble the vessels, wire the systems, fabricate and modify parts, and get them ready for the water. You work shoulder to shoulder with the engineers: you are the one who finds what does not work on the bench, and your fixes end up in the next build. This is hands‑on prototype work, in the shop and on the dock, and the role grows as fast as you do.

What you'll do

• Assemble mechanical and electrical systems.
• Build wiring harnesses, terminate connectors, and solder as needed.
• Fabricate and modify parts with shop equipment and hand tools.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and improve the designs as you build them.
• Support integration, testing, and field operations, in the shop and on the water.
• Help keep the workshop and equipment safe and organized.

What we're looking for

• You have built and fixed real hardware with your hands. We care more about what you have built than years or degrees.
• Experience assembling mechanical or electrical systems.
• Comfortable with hand tools, power tools, and basic shop equipment.
• Can read engineering drawings and assembly instructions.
• Curious and eager to learn. You want to take on more over time.

Bonus points

• Wiring, crimping, soldering, or cable harness experience.
• Welding, especially aluminum, or running a mill, lathe, or laser cutter.
• Marine, boatbuilding, or on-water experience.
• Uncrewed or remotely operated vehicles, robotics, or other field‑tested hardware.