Maritime Robotics Operator

Maritime Robotics Technician

Location: Panama City Beach, FL (Travel Required)

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Senior Director of Operations

Role Overview

Terradepth, Inc. specializes in high-fidelity hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical surveys designed to support coastal restoration, offshore renewable energy development, and marine oil and gas applications.

The Maritime Robotics Operator is responsible for the field execution, operation, and maintenance of a sophisticated suite of marine geophysical and geotechnical instruments. This role leverages Terradepth’s proprietary cloud-based data management platform, Absolute Ocean (AO), to validate data integrity, completeness, and accuracy. Additionally, the incumbent will support internal engineering workflows by assisting with the generation and validation of hydrologic models utilized in coastal infrastructure design. The ideal candidate thrives in dynamic offshore environments, enjoys solving technical challenges, and is committed to delivering operational excellence, predictable delivery of results, and consistent mission success within company profitability metrics.

About The Role

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following operational areas:

Offshore Survey & Marine Operations

• Actively participate in offshore geophysical survey operations, executing precise system launch, recovery, and calibration protocols for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LDUUVs), Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs), and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
• Own the daily mission planning workflows, collaborating directly with the Unmanned Systems Offshore Manager to align technical parameters with project requirements.
• Perform basic mathematical and geometric field calculations necessary to ensure accurate spatial tracking and marine navigation.

Data Integrity & Systems Utilization

• Manage and process survey payloads using various enterprise information technology systems and cloud infrastructures.
• Ensure all ingested data on the Absolute Ocean platform meets stringent Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) benchmarks.

Asset Management & Quality Control

• Maintain meticulous, real-time logging of AUV, LDUUV, ASV, and ROV survey operational performance.
• Oversee the care, preventative maintenance, and physical inventory of high-value company assets, specifically within the robotics laboratory and survey payload bays.
• Generate, update, and route technical operational reports to leadership stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate Degree in Engineering, Marine Technology, Electronics, Robotics, Geomatics, Surveying, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience supporting:
• AUVs, LDUUVs, ASVs, and ROVs
• Hydrographic survey operations
• Marine robotics systems
• Comparable technical field operations

Technical Skills

• Experience operating marine survey equipment and unmanned/autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with navigation systems, telemetry, and data acquisition platforms.
• Understanding of AUV/LDUUV/ASV/ROV operational limitations, battery systems, and acoustic sensors.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications and cloud-based data systems.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Eligibility to travel extensively and support offshore deployments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating LDUUV, AUV, ROV or ASV platforms.
• Experience with Teledyne Gavia systems.
• Background in hydrographic surveying, marine geophysics, or ocean engineering.
• Military experience involving unmanned systems, maritime operations, or technical maintenance.
• Experience working aboard research vessels or offshore support vessels.

Physical & Environment Requirements

This position entails demanding offshore deployment. Candidates must fully satisfy the following physical and environmental criteria:

Physical Performance Metrics

• Ability to stand for extended periods aboard moving vessels.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment weighing 60+ pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders, navigate confined spaces, and work in challenging vessel environments.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 and ability to work extensively with computer displays.
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in operational environments.

Working Environment & Hazard Exposure

• Multi-week offshore deployments.
• Exposure to varying sea states and weather conditions.
• Work in high-humidity marine environments.
• Exposure to industrial noise, machinery, and deck operations.

Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The employee is strictly required to utilize prescribed company-issued PPE, including but not limited to:

• ANSI-approved Safety Glasses / Eye Protection
• Hearing Protection (muffs/plugs rated for >85 dB environments)
• ASTM-rated Protective Footwear (Safety Shoes)
• Industrial Work Gloves and Task-Specific Body Protection