Location
Southampton

Hours
Full time - 37 hours per week

Salary
£54,047 - £59,449

About the Role
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced engineer to join the Marine Autonomous and Robotics (MARS) group as Engineering Manager for the ROV Team. The MARS group operates and maintains an extensive fleet of autonomous and robotic maritime platforms, including the UK's National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP), the largest centralised marine scientific equipment pool in Europe.

You will lead a close-knit, dedicated and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team operating the 6,500m-rated ROV, Isis, and the Modular Payload Underwater System (MPUS), worldwide. This role offers an exciting opportunity to advance a key capability and lead operations at the forefront of marine science.

You will oversee the collection of high-quality ocean data that underpins the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the wider UK oceanographic community in achieving world-class marine science. The work you lead—together with a skilled and dedicated team—will make a significant and lasting contribution to ocean science.

The role involves managing the day-to-day work of the ROV team, including:
- Managing delivery of operational, technical and safety aspects of NOC’s ROV deployments
- Creating and monitoring work plans, defining priorities, financial planning and budget management
- Ensuring all activities are planned and delivered safely, in line with standards, safety requirements and legislation
- Providing technical oversight of development, integration and troubleshooting of systems and upgrades for the ROVs
- Maintaining equipment in preparation for research expeditions, including creation and updating of standard operating and emergency procedures
- Producing and reviewing technical solutions and guiding the team in solving complex technical problems
- Providing mentoring, guidance and objectives for the team
- Engaging with MARS, NOC and science stakeholders to deliver effective ROV operations consistent with NOC protocols and best practice
- Providing seagoing operational leadership and support of the ROVs, including planning and coordinating missions, managing risks and overseeing all operational aspects while deployed
- Collaborating with other MARS senior team members to support group operations and help define strategic objectives

This role will involve time aboard Research Vessels to support the delivery of this capability.

Experience
- Significant relevant experience in leading engineering design and development, conducting trials and/or operational deployments of complex systems, preferably marine
- Proven track record of team leadership and successful project management in complex, multidisciplinary project environments
- In-depth knowledge of deep ocean science, engineering and technology, including considerable experience in the operation of ROV systems
- Broad engineering knowledge including physics, mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical systems and software development
- Experience liaising with potential funders, project partners and stakeholders

About you
- Enjoy working within a team, sharing and debating ideas and best practice
- Ability to help evolve team culture, fostering individual growth while promoting respect and inclusivity
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and motivate a small, highly-skilled team
- Self-motivated, proactive, flexible and innovative
- Ability to resolve issues under challenging situations at sea and produce high quality reliable work at base
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills demonstrated through documentation and presentations

Qualifications
- Qualified to HNC/HND or higher in a directly relevant engineering discipline or degree level or higher in a related discipline