VESSEL OPERATIONS 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. 

See Yourself at APL as a member of the Ocean Engineering Department! We are seeking a full-time Vessel Operations Engineer to join the team.  This position has a salary range of $81,540 to $121,008 annualized ($6,795 - $10,084 monthly), along with great employment benefits and competitive total compensation incentives.

The Team:
The Ocean Engineering (OE) Department designs, builds, tests, and deploys custom equipment for oceanographic research, marine renewable energy, marine robotics, subsea acoustic instrumentation, and other basic and applied science efforts. The OE department is a long-standing resource for scientists, R&D organizations, and the U.S. Navy by delivering technology and expertise from the design phase through at-sea deployment of custom, one-of-a-kind scientific instruments and systems. As a member of the OE department, your work will be deployed above and below the world's oceans, glaciers, and other harsh, remote environments across the globe.

Vessel Operations Engineer Responsibilities:
As a Vessel Operations Engineer, you have the opportunity to have a direct impact on oceanographic research. You will provide direct support to the APL Marine Operations Manager in operating, maintaining, and managing APL’s fleet. This role will include serving as Captain for research cruises. Your responsibilities will include:

· Maintaining self-efficient operation and maintenance of the APL research vessel fleet, APL dock, vessel storage areas, and equipment.
· Ensuring that vessel operations comply with all appropriate Federal, State, and University regulations, policies, and guidelines.
· Working with the Chief Scientist to develop cruise plans including input on work site location, transit times, environmental conditions, and equipment deployment procedures.
· Providing fieldwork and engineering support to APL-sponsored research programs as assigned.
· Proposing, planning, and coordinating research vessel fieldwork in support of externally funded research programs, in coordination with APL researchers.

Operations will be varied and may range from simple (e.g., testing a single device) to complex (e.g., testing multiple devices with multiple vessels) in nature.

Requirements:
A Bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation, Engineering, Oceanography, or a related field.  Equivalent experience can substitute for the degree requirement.

Successful candidates will typically have around 4 years of experience in a professional environment providing the following:

·        US Citizenship
·        Valid U.S. Coast Guard License as Master of Vessels 100 Tons Near Coastal (minimum)
·        5 years of experience sailing as Master on vessels 50 – 100 feet or larger
·        Experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting major vessel systems including marine engines, transmissions, generators, hydraulic systems, cranes, and winches
·        Certification in First Aid, CPR
·        Ability to react to emergency situations at sea
·        Sufficient strength and physical dexterity to perform duties and responsibilities of the job, including exposure to inclement weather conditions for prolonged periods of time
·        Ability to wear and use appropriate protective equipment as necessary
·        Familiarity with Federal and State rules, regulations, and requirements pertaining to university vessel operations
·        Ability to pass drug and alcohol screening tests as mandated by the university and appropriate licensing authorities
·        Ability to clearly communicate information
·        Willingness to work the required hours (occasional long days, holidays, and weekends) to complete assigned research and education missions

This role requires that candidates be able to meet the physical requirements necessary to work at sea in small to large vessels, or other field sites, and be willing to perform the required duties aboard sea-going vessels. Field efforts are not anticipated to be more than 10% of a candidate's work averaged over a year but may range from days to a few weeks long at a time.

The person hired into this position must be a U.S. citizen and successfully obtain and continue to maintain a Department of Defense (DOD) Personnel Security Clearance. The process for obtaining a DOD Security Clearance can be viewed using the following links: Processing Applicants (dcsa.mil) or General Investigations and Clearance Processes (dcsa.mil)

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:
·        Experience working in Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Puget Sound
·        Experience with working in the Coastal waters of Washington, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
·        Experience with the safe deployment and retrieval of equipment used aboard research vessels (e.g., conductivity-temperature-depth profilers, multi-beam sonar systems, chemical and biological sampling equipment, UUVs, buoys, moorings, etc.)
·        STCW endorsement
·        TWIC
·        Basic safety training
·        Radar Observer (Unlimited) Endorsement
·        Experience operating vessels in and around scientific diving operations, including live-boating operations
·        DAN Oxygen First Aid training

About APL:
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 and imaging, 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.

DEI:
Diversity is a core value at the University of Washington and the Applied Physics Laboratory shares this commitment. 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 community by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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.