Field Operations Engineer

About Hydronet

Hydronet is a deep-tech startup developing next-generation, AI-powered and software-defined underwater sensing, communication, networking, and analytics technology. We're on a mission to revolutionize connected underwater intelligence.

The Role

We're hiring a Field Operations Engineer to lead the deployment, testing, and at-sea operation of Hydronet's underwater systems. You'll own field execution end-to-end — planning exercises, leading on-water deployments, troubleshooting and fixing issues on the fly, and feeding hard-earned field insights back into engineering. This is a hands-on, get-your-feet-wet role for someone who thrives outside the lab and wants to see hardware they helped deploy come alive in real ocean conditions.

You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with hardware, software, and systems engineers, and serve as the connective tissue between our engineering team and the realities of operating in the ocean.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field operations for Hydronet's underwater systems, including pre-mission preparation, launch and recovery, in-water testing, monitoring, data collection, and post-mission analysis.
• Plan and execute field exercises and deployments — from local nearshore tests to extended offshore campaigns — coordinating logistics, schedules, vessels, equipment, and personnel.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting, repair, calibration, and maintenance of underwater hardware, electronics, and acoustic/optical front-ends in lab and field settings.
• Debug software, firmware, and system-level issues quickly and pragmatically while at sea — diagnosing problems on the fly and getting systems back online with minimal downtime.
• Drive continuous improvement of operating procedures, checklists, deployment kits, and field tooling to make at-sea operations safer, faster, and more repeatable.
• Capture detailed field data, write clear after-action reports, and feed observations back to engineering to influence next-generation designs and features.
• Support customer-facing exercises and demonstrations as Hydronet products move from prototype to product.
• Travel to coastal, offshore, and remote test sites as needed (estimated 25-30% of the time, with periods of more intense field activity around major exercises).

Required Qualifications

• 3 years of hands-on experience operating robotic, marine, or underwater systems at sea — in a commercial, defense, research, or offshore environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude — comfortable with hand tools, fabrication, cable terminations, connector make-up, and field repair of electronic and mechanical assemblies.
• Working knowledge of Linux, command-line interfaces, and basic software/firmware debugging; comfortable reading logs and diagnosing system-level issues under pressure.
• Calm, resourceful, and decisive in high-pressure, time-constrained field environments — able to fix things on the fly with the parts and tools on hand.
• Comfortable operating in a startup environment — adaptable, self-directed, and willing to wear many hats.
• Willing and able to travel frequently and spend extended periods at sea or at remote test sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience deploying and operating AUVs, ROVs, gliders, surface vessels, moorings, or seafloor instrumentation.
• Background in underwater acoustics, sonar, hydrophones, transducers, or optical/VLC payloads.
• Familiarity with marine electronics, power systems, and subsea connectors (e.g., SubConn, Impulse).
• Small-boat handling experience, USCG licensing, dive certifications, or other maritime credentials.
• Experience writing test plans, SOPs, and after-action reports that close the loop with engineering.
• Prior experience at a deep-tech, defense-tech, or maritime startup.

Work Authorization

Due to the nature of our current projects, candidates must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents (green card holders).