Autonomous Underwater Glider Technician, Level 2 in La Jolla, California at Lynker Technologies

Lynker is seeking to hire an Autonomous Underwater Glider Technician, Level 2 to support a contract with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Ecosystem Science Division (ESD). This is a full-time position anticipated to begin upon contract award. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture.

The SWFSC supports NMFS’s mission by collecting data to monitor the species and health of marine ecosystems on the U.S. West Coast and in Antarctica. We use autonomous technology, specifically autonomous underwater gliders (“gliders”), to collect data on the pelagic environments in the Southern and Pacific Oceans. These data are used to understand the ecological impacts of fishing in Antarctica, and will augment data collected on quarterly California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) surveys in the California Current.

The SWFSC maintains and operates a fleet of gliders that use a variety of novel instruments to observe the ocean ecosystem. These systems include standard oceanographic instruments (conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, optical instruments), as well as active and passive acoustic systems and camera systems.

The SWFSC aims to conduct glider deployments approximately every other month for durations between 2 and 120 days, which requires substantial preparation and logistics coordination. SWFSC also deploys acoustic Doppler current profilers with integrated echosounders (ADCP/Es) in the Southern Ocean to collect data on the distribution and movement of ecologically and commercially important species.

The Autonomous Underwater Glider Technician, Level 2 will support NOAA’s autonomous glider program by performing advanced operational, analytical, and coordination activities associated with deployment, piloting, maintenance, and data processing of oceanographic gliders and associated instrumentation.

• Perform all Level I glider preparation, deployment, piloting, and recovery tasks
• Calibrate oceanographic sensors, including CTDs and acoustic instruments
• Troubleshoot glider hardware and software systems
• Pilot gliders during active missions, including rotating monitoring shifts and responding to mission interruptions
• Process and analyze glider data collected during deployments
• Prepare post-deployment reports and technical documentation
• Maintain service records and inventories of glider components
• Prepare procurement packages for maintenance, calibration, and repair activities
• Develop and maintain glider deployment and piloting schedules
• Provide oversight and instruction to junior staff
• Prepare reports, presentations, and scientific materials
• Prepare hazardous materials shipping documentation, as required
• Support field operations, including deployment and recovery from small boats or research vessels

• Bachelor’s degree plus four (4) years of relevant experience; Master’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. in a related field
• Experience maintaining, preparing, deploying, and recovering autonomous underwater vehicles (gliders)
• 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

• Experience working with oceanographic instrumentation (e.g., CTD sensors, ADCPs, acoustic systems)
• Experience processing and analyzing oceanographic or ecological datasets
• Experience maintaining equipment inventories and service records
• Experience coordinating deployments or operational schedules
• Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, or scientific documentation
• Experience providing oversight or instruction to staff

On-site at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA, with fieldwork at sea.

Travel is required for vessel operations, field deployments, and recoveries.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

* This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.