Systems Engineer (Systems Integration Field Technician)

SubSea Craft; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 10 days

Sick leave 7 days

401(k)

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

Disability insurance

EAP

Professional development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

SubSea Craft seeks a hands-on Systems Engineer/Field Technician (Systems Integration) to own integration, verification and test of hardware, software and control systems for autonomous marine platforms. You will integrate autonomy, navigation, propulsion, electrical, comms, and payload systems into a cohesive platform and lead complex integration activities from problem definition to delivery.

You will configure and test platform hardware/software, define interfaces, investigate faults, and

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in STEM or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years' experience in a relevant field.
• Professional hardware and software integration and testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on integration of autonomous vessel systems across software, hardware, and subsystems.
• Design, implement and validate system integration architecture and interfaces.
• Act as technical authority for integration decisions and risk management.
• Plan and conduct dockside, harbour and sea trials with end-to-end testing and real-time diagnosis.

Skills

Systems integration

Test engineering

Embedded systems

PLC programming

CAN bus

Networking

C/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics/Electronics/CS or equivalent

Tools

CANOpen

NMEA2000

Docker

Linux

Job description

Who we are:

SubSea Craft, is a fast-growing, privately funded, UK-founded innovative maritime technology company specialising in next-generation, high-performance watercraft and systems. As we expand internationally, we are establishing a presence in the United States and are seeking US-based talent to support this growth. Operating at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting‑edge design, and user‑centric innovation, we deliver safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both defence and commercial applications.

What we offer:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)– 10 days of paid time off annually, plus public holidays.
• Sick Leave– 7 days of paid sick leave per year.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan– Access to a 401(k) plan to support your long‑term financial wellbeing.
• Health Insurance– Comprehensive medical coverage to support your overall wellbeing.
• Dental & Vision Insurance– Additional coverage for routine and specialist care.
• Disability Insurance– Short‑term and long‑term disability cover to provide financial protection if you’re unable to work.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)– Access to confidential support services for personal, financial, and mental wellbeing.
• Professional Development– Commitment to ongoing learning and career growth.
• Inclusive Culture– A professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

Role description

We are seeking a hands‑on Systems Engineer/Field Technician (Systems Integration) to take technical ownership of the integration, verification and test of the hardware, software and control systems that enable our autonomous marine platforms to operate safely and reliably.

Working across autonomy, navigation, propulsion, electrical, communications and payload systems, you will bring individual components together into a coherent, dependable and operationally capable platform. You will configure and integrate systems, define and manage interfaces, investigate faults, and assess and improve system performance across laboratory, dockside, on‑water and sea‑trial environments.

You will be trusted to lead complex integration activities from problem definition through to delivery, applying sound engineering judgement to diagnose and resolve technical issues, manage technical risk, and deliver robust, operationally ready capability for demanding maritime environments.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the hands‑on integration of autonomous vessel systems across software, embedded compute, sensors, actuators, navigation, communications, data networks, electrical systems, vehicle systems, payloads and mission/autonomy functions.
• Design, develop and evolve the software and system integration architecture in line with system requirements, including subsystem boundaries, interfaces, dependencies, data flows, operating modes, timing, failure behaviour and integration risks.
• Act as the technical authority for system integration, owning technical decisions and ensuring that hardware, software, control and vessel subsystems operate together as a coherent platform.
• Configure, commission and test platform hardware and software, including sensors, actuators, embedded computers, networked devices, control systems and associated interface hardware.
• Design, implement, integrate and tune closed‑loop control functions for analogue and digital actuation systems using PLC‑based or comparable embedded‑control platforms.
• Design, configure and troubleshoot vessel data networks and communications interfaces, ensuring reliable connectivity, data integrity, timing and system interoperability.
• Establish and maintain controlled hardware and software baselines, together with platform and control‑system interface documentation, system architectures, network diagrams, integration procedures and test evidence.
• Lead the integration, testing, validation and benchmarking of internally developed third‑party and supplier‑provided software in laboratory, representative test and onboard‑vessel environments.
• Plan and conduct dockside, harbour and sea trials, including end‑to‑end testing, validation, performance assessment and real‑time diagnosis of system behaviour.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and cross‑disciplinary resolution of system issues; continuously improve integration processes, test environments and technical practices to deliver a reliable, repeatable and maintainable platform.

Essential skills and experience:

• Degree level qualification in Mechatronics, Electronics Engineering, Computer Science (or other STEM subject) or equivalent experience
• 5+ years' experience in a relevant field
• Professional hardware and software integration and testing experience
• Basic understanding of closed loop control
• Professional PLCprogramming experience
• Experience with CAN bus
• Experience with industry standard communication protocols, such as CANOpen, NMEA2000, NMEA0183

Desirable skills and experience:

• An understanding of electronics
• Familiarity with the Linux command line
• Embedded systems programming in C/C++
• Experience with mobile robotics projects
• Experience with networking
• Experience using containers (such as Docker)

Note: Please note: Due to the nature of the work undertaken, the selected candidate must be able to meet the security requirements of the position. This includes, at a minimum, having the legal right to work in the United States and the ability to successfully complete applicable background checks.

For certain roles, candidates may also be required to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance. In the majority of cases, eligibility for clearance will require US citizenship and will be subject to applicable federal laws and regulations.

Values:

Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: weare founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially‑adept.

What we expect from you:

• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration
• Initiative and independent working
• Honesty and integrity
• Business and commercial awareness
• Agility, adaptability and continuous development

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

*Please note that all offers of employment are conditional and subject to satisfactory background screening, employment verification, and, where applicable, driving record checks. For certain roles, additional security or clearance requirements may apply in line with US defense regulations.

A criminal record will not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Any criminal history will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and in the context of the role, alongside the broader information gathered throughout the application, interview, and pre‑employment screening process.

In the event of a high number of applications, , we may be unable to respond to everyone. If you are shortlisted, we will aim to contact you within 14 days of your application or the closing date (if stated). We may retain your details for future suitable roles unless you advise us otherwise.

Compensation Range: $105,000 - $120,000