Senior Marine Electronics Technician

VIMS1 Virginia Institute of Marine Science; United States; On-site; USD 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Marine Electronics Technician at VIMS1 Virginia Institute of Marine Science will maintain and repair electrical and electronic equipment on William & Mary research vessels, spanning shore-based support and at-sea deployments.

You will develop data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic equipment, calibrate hydroacoustic data, and collaborate with the Port Engineer to ensure timely project completion. Occasional at-sea work and remote coordination are expected.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience troubleshooting electronic and software programs.
• Knowledge of hydro-acoustic equipment and data calibration.

Responsibilities

• On Shore: support scientific missions, pre-cruise prep, and post-cruise data delivery; coordinate repairs and procure marine electronic equipment.
• At Sea: participate in research deployments, mobilize/demobilize hydroacoustic gear, develop data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic data.
• Marine Operations: assist with IT-related issues and other duties as needed.

Skills

Hydro-acoustic equipment knowledge

Wiring diagrams & schematics

Cable construction & soldering

Troubleshooting electronic systems

Field operations collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

ABYC Certification

Sea Bird Certification

Job description

Senior Marine Electronics Technician

Department: CC00491 VIMS1 | RADV | Field Operations

Job Family: Staff - Media & Creative Services Worker Sub-Type: Regular (benefited)

Primary Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Primary Job Posting Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Job Description Summary: The mission of William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Marine Operations at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS maintains and operates a fleet of research vessels and also offers a broad range of technical services to the scientific community. The research fleet at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS comprises more than 30 small boats and several larger vessels staffed with dedicated crews. Our technicians, machinists, welders, fabricators and mechanics can design, fabricate and repair complex electronic and mechanical instruments and tools. They can also assist in designing field programs and conducting field work, either locally or away.

Job Description

Reporting to the Port Engineer, the Senior Marine Electronics Technician (SMET) focuses on research vessel data acquisition via hydroacoustic and hydrographic equipment. The SMET will be responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical and electronic equipment on all VIMS vessels, and will provide advice on the acquisition of marine and other electronic equipment. The position also assists with general IT related issues in Marine Operations.

• Marine Electronic Support – On Shore: Various shore-based tasks centered on the support of scientific missions (pre-cruise preparation, within cruise communications and troubleshooting, post-cruise data product delivery). Coordinate and interface with research scientist regarding research vessel data products to ensure achievement of research objectives. Coordinate repair, maintenance, installation and purchase of marine electronic equipment, primarily for vessels. Partner with Port Engineer to ensure on-time completion of various projects.
• Marine Electronic Support – At Sea: Participate in at-sea research activity during implementation of R/V Virginia multibeam echosounder (approximately 50 days per year). Perform mobilization and demobilization of hydroacoustic equipment in support of research operations. Design and implement and/or direct implementation of data acquisition protocols aboard research vessel. Develop data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic data interfacing. Implement hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, including collection calibration of data from hydroacoustic instruments.
• Marine Operations / Other Duties: Assist with general IT related issues in Marine Operations. Other duties as needed.

Salary - up to $65,000.00 commensurate with experience

Conditions of Employment

This is a non-exempt position eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and University policy. Occasional participation in at-sea research activity supporting the use of hydroacoustic equipment or other equipment in support of research operations.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Marine Electronic Support – On Shore: 50% Various shore-based tasks centered on the support of scientific missions (pre-cruise preparation, within cruise communications and troubleshooting, post-cruise data product delivery). Coordinate and interface with research scientist regarding research vessel data products to ensure achievement of research objectives. Coordinate repair, maintenance, installation and purchase of marine electronic equipment, primarily for vessels. Partner with Port Engineer to ensure on-time completion of various projects.
• Marine Electronic Support – At Sea: 30% Participate in at-sea research activity during implementation of R/V Virginia multibeam echosounder (approximately 50 days per year). Perform mobilization and demobilization of hydroacoustic equipment in support of research operations. Design and implement and/or direct implementation of data acquisition protocols aboard research vessel. Develop data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic data interfacing. Implement hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, including collection calibration of data from hydroacoustic instruments.
• Marine Operations / Other Duties: 20% Assist with general IT related issues in Marine Operations. Other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
• Competencies: Knowledge of hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, with the ability to calibrate data from hydroacoustic instruments. Working knowledge of Echosounder and hydroacoustic instrument operational theory. Working knowledge of operational theory and system integration of oceanographical instruments, including CTD, rosette bottle sampler, hydrographic winch, sea cable termination, fluorometer, ADCP, flow sensors and related devices. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics for cables and circuits. Demonstrated skills in cable construction, cable splicing and soldering (Cat-5, use of diagnostic equipment), sea cable waterproofing and termination.
• Experience: Significant experience in troubleshooting and repair of electronic and software programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Post High School degree in the technical or marine-related field.
• ABYC Certification or ability to obtain within a year.
• Sea Bird Certification
• Competencies: Knowledge of QA/QC of data products from shipboard hydroacoustic and oceanographic systems. Proficiency in the use of common mechanical tools and measuring devices associated with electrical circuits and electronic equipment. Working knowledge and understanding of operations and maintenance of hydrographic and oceanographic equipment including single and split-beam echosounders, multibeam echosounders, CTDs, ADCPs, and SVPs. Knowledge of shipboard data interleaving via NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 communications networks, with the ability to integrate various scientific data collection software to shipboard data network. Knowledge of budget and or fiscal processes, with the ability to management a budget for supply and equipment inventories. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to locate, trouble shoot, and mitigate sources of shipboard acoustical noise, and maintain and troubleshoot marine electronic equipment and devices operating on both AC and DC circuits. Strong attention to detail, with the ability to operate and repair rosette bottle sampler, with CTD and bottle sampler deployment & instrument set up.
• Experience: Extensive experience in computer systems and equipment interfacing. Experience using hydroacoustic post-processing software for scientific purposes.

Job Profile: JP0142 - Electronic Technician II - Nonexempt - Salary - S10 Qualifications: Compensation Grade: S10 Recruiting Start Date: 2026-03-05 Review Date: Position Restrictions: Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

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