FIELD ENGINEER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Are you…
Searching for a meaningful career in instrumentation programming and field engineering?
Wanting to work with a world-class team of scientists and engineers passionate about tackling our world’s complex and intricate climate problems?
If so, then see yourself at APL within the Ocean Physics Department.

Job Description
We are seeking a Field Engineer to join the Ocean Physics Team.  The incumbent selected will work with a team of research scientists and engineers to support the fabrication, testing, deployment, and maintenance of commercial and APL-built oceanographic instrumentation, where the primary focus will be on Lagrangian profiling floats and associated systems.  Work will be performed in a laboratory environment and in the field aboard research/installation vessels.  This position will support logistics and preparation for field operations, procurement of supplies, and adhering to safety standards.  Field work for this position will include small-boat single-day operations up to multi-week cruises on global-class research vessels.

Your Impact…
• Join a team of engineers and scientists to explore the ocean through the use of buoyancy-controlled sensing platforms.
• Carry out tests and fieldwork from the conception to completion of a project, on the bench, in test tanks, in local trial deployments in Puget Sound, or through full-scale deployments on the open ocean.
• Work on basic research sponsored by many agencies, including the National Science Foundation, National Ocean Partnership Program, Office of Naval Research, or Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to advance our understanding of the coastal and the deep ocean, including ocean circulation, air-sea interactions, ocean-ice interactions, and climate.
• Contribute your expertise in instrumentation operational support, fieldwork engineering, and logistics to sample the ocean in novel ways.

Diversity is a core value at the Applied Physics Laboratory – University of Washington. We are focused on building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable research environment for all students, staff, and collaborators. We believe every member of our team enriches our discovery exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions. See yourself at APL – because here is where you belong.

As a Field Engineer, you will…
• Support multiple projects by building and modifying oceanographic instruments.
• Following instructions and designs provided by professional design engineers: fabricate, assemble, integrate, calibrate, test, and repair hardware components for both COTS and one-of-a-kind scientific instruments.
• Specify, source, and procure parts and materials to accomplish research program objectives.
• Identify problems, define their scope, and communicate them to other engineers. Independently implement and evaluate solutions to simple problems. Consult with other engineers and scientists to tackle more complex problems.
• Assist in and carry out field campaigns to successfully complete project objectives. Tasks include:
• instrument prep and calibration
• equipment and supplies purchasing
• assembly of tools and instruments needed
• shipping of equipment
• obtaining lodging
• coordinating with shipping agents and research vessels
• working collaboratively with the ship’s crew and scientists
• maintaining safety standards in the field and onboard research vessels
• May analyze fieldwork results, develop conclusions and recommendations, and may contribute to research results in publishable form.

Qualifications
You meet our qualifications for the job if you have…
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, oceanography, or other closely related technical field and at least two years of relevant experience.
• US Citizenship.
• Able to work independently and as part of an engineering and research team, interacting cooperatively with people from diverse backgrounds, academic levels, and nationalities.
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical and electrical component and scientific equipment fabrication, assembly, testing, deployment, maintenance, operation, and repairs.
• Independently determine and communicate about the kinds of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Functional knowledge of computer systems.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, etc.)

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

While not required, you’ll stand out if you have prior experience working with…
• Experience with buoyancy-controlled underwater floats, oceanographic vehicles or sensors, or other observational oceanographic research.
• Previous experience on ocean-going field expeditions.
• Demonstrated experience in basic electronics fabrication methods and tools (e.g., soldering).
• Demonstrated experience in the use of common mechanical fabrication design methods and tools (e.g., 3D printing, urethane casting, light machining, Solidworks).
• Programming experience (Python, Matlab, C).  

Be Boundless!
Be Boundless at the University of Washington as a UW employee! With an all-encompassing compensation and benefits package and limitless professional growth opportunities, you can build a fulfilling and impactful career while enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

See Yourself at APL!
See Yourself at APL! Take advantage of those opportunities and more at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington. As an APL-UW employee, you not only get to enjoy the opportunities and benefits of UW, but also be a member of a team of world-renowned researchers, scientists, and engineers dedicated to bettering our campuses, state, country, and world by solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies.

About Us
The Applied Physics Laboratory is a research unit at the University of Washington. Our research expertise is in ocean physics and engineering, ocean and medical acoustics, polar science, environmental remote sensing, and signal processing. We conduct research and development that is sponsored by a variety of federal and state agencies and take great pride in our long-standing status as a US Navy-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Our work takes place not only on the University of Washington campus and medical centers, but in field locations around the world – at sea, in the air, and on polar ice caps. We apply rigorous scientific inquiry and engineering excellence in pursuit of solutions to important problems for the good of our region, nation, and world.

Are you ready to apply?
Application Instructions: Select the “Apply for this job” button at the bottom of the page. Be prepared to provide a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae (CV). For more information on the application process, visit https://seeyourselfapl.uw.edu/common-questions/.

Application Process: The application process may include the completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.