Senior Electrical Engineer Job Posting

About Open Ocean Robotics

Operating on the ocean around the world from Victoria, BC, Open Ocean Robotics is a growing ocean technology company transforming how we understand the ocean through better data collection. We are leaders in solar powered autonomous boats known as Uncrewed Surface Vehicles, or USVs, that operate across a wide range of challenging ocean environments.

We are driven by a pioneering spirit to push boundaries and make the seemingly impossible possible. We offer the opportunity to work with a highly skilled team tackling meaningful technical challenges in robotics, autonomous systems, and marine technology.

Are you passionate about electrical engineering, embedded systems, and robotics? Are you interested in designing rugged, energy efficient systems that operate autonomously for extended periods at sea? If so, we want to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applicants who reflect diversity in thinking and background as we continue to develop our culture of inclusiveness for all.

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our engineering team in Victoria.

You will take significant technical ownership of the electrical and electronic systems used across our USV platforms, working across the full product lifecycle from architecture and PCB design through prototyping, validation, production release, field performance, and sustaining engineering.

A major focus of the role will be developing rugged, reliable, and energy efficient systems optimized for solar powered autonomous operations. You will work on power systems, communications, sensor and payload integration, custom electronics, and production readiness.

This is a hands-on senior engineering role with significant technical ownership, including design leadership, technical decision making, and mentorship across the development lifecycle.

You will work closely with our mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, supply chain, product, and operations teams.

The position reports to the Director of Engineering or Chief Technology Officer.

This position is based in Victoria, BC and is onsite at our Victoria office. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Open Ocean Robotics does not sponsor work visas.

Core Responsibilities

Design, prototype, test, validate, and document electrical and electronic systems for USVs operating in demanding environments with vibration, moisture, corrosion, temperature, EMC, and EMI effects.
Develop schematics, BOMs, and multilayer PCB layouts using Altium.
Design power, analog, digital, mixed signal, and embedded electronic systems with a focus on energy efficiency, reliability, and manufacturability.
Optimize electrical systems for solar energy harvesting, power management, and extended autonomous operation.
Integrate sensors, payloads, processors, and radio, cellular, and satellite communications systems. Use common communications protocols such as UART, I2C, SPI, RS232/485, and CAN.
Apply design for manufacturing, assembly, and test principles throughout development.
Lead board bring up, debugging, validation, first article builds, and transition into production including test fixtures and processes.
Support component selection, supply chain alternatives, obsolescence management, and sustaining engineering.
Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of electrical issues identified during development, manufacturing, and field operations.
Support engineering change control, configuration management, and production documentation.
Participate in design reviews and provide technical guidance and mentorship to other members of the engineering team.

Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience designing electronic hardware.
Demonstrated experience taking electronic products from design through production and lifecycle support.
Strong experience with schematic design and multilayer PCB layout using Altium or a comparable platform.
Experience with analog, digital, mixed signal, power, and embedded systems
Strong understanding of power management and energy efficient electronics.
Experience with board bring up, debugging, testing, and validation.
Experience applying design for manufacturing and supporting production electronics.
Strong troubleshooting, communication, and technical problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Assets of Interest

Experience with marine, robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, industrial, or other rugged systems.
Experience with solar power, battery systems, or highly energy constrained electronics.
Experience with radio, cellular, or satellite communications.
Experience integrating sensors and payloads into autonomous systems.
Familiarity with embedded C and other firmware such as Zephyr RTOS.
Experience with automated test development using Python or LabVIEW.
Experience with environmental, EMC, EMI, or reliability testing.
Familiarity with IPC electronics manufacturing standards.
Experience working with contract manufacturers or PCB assembly facilities.
Professional Engineer or Engineer in Training status, or eligibility to obtain such status.