Glider (AUV) Technician II

AIS•La Jolla, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is seeking a Glider (AUV) Technician II to support the SWFSC's Ecosystem Science Division (ESD). This role involves the preparation, deployment, recovery, piloting, and data analysis of autonomous underwater gliders used for monitoring pelagic ecosystems. The position contributes to NOAA's mission of collecting ecosystem observations to characterize the physical environment and marine organisms, which are vital for fisheries management, Antarctic conservation, and California Current ecosystem assessments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in a qualifying field plus four (4) years of related experience; or eight (8) years combined education and experience.
Demonstrated experience maintaining, preparing, deploying, and recovering autonomous underwater vehicles
Experience calibrating and programming glider-integrated scientific sensors
Experience piloting gliders and troubleshooting mission issues
Experience writing code to process and analyze real-time or delayed glider data
Must be able to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree plus two (2) years' experience or Ph.D. may substitute for experience
Familiarity with oceanographic instruments including CTD sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, acoustic and optical systems
Prior experience with California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) survey operations
Experience preparing hazardous materials shipping documentation

Responsibilities

Ballasting gliders and cleaning/sealing them in preparation for deployment
Performing pre-deployment system checks and test flights in the SWFSC tech tank
Defining mission parameters and preparing mission files for deployment
Calibrating and preparing ADCP/Es, CTD sensors, and mooring buoys for deployment
Piloting gliders throughout deployments on rotating 24-hour shifts, monitoring flight performance, and responding to mission interruptions
Going to sea on small boats or research vessels to deploy and recover gliders
Maintaining clean, organized, and accessible glider workspaces
Submitting monthly progress reports reflecting status and progress of all tasks
Calibrating oceanographic sensors and troubleshooting hardware/software issues
Preparing glider post-deployment reports and processing/analyzing glider data
Preparing procurement packages for glider maintenance, calibrations, and repairs
Maintaining service records and component inventories to schedule regular maintenance
Providing oversight and instruction to newer/less-experienced glider team members
Creating and maintaining glider deployment and piloting schedules
Preparing shipping documents for hazardous materials as necessary
Preparing reports, papers, and presentations; attending scientific conferences as appropriate