Field Support Engineer Technician
1 day ago
Plymouth
Field Support Engineer Technician Plymouth-based role to commence Jan/Feb 2026. Strictly no recruiters. Overview Founded in 2020, Acua Ocean (AO) is a fast-growing and dynamic start-up at the forefront of the carbon net zero and maritime autonomy sectors. We are hiring a Field Support Engineer Technician to work within our growing Field Operations Team developing cutting edge technology to use in our Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). A successful candidate must be a team player with a passion for sharing knowledge and be ready to be at the grassroots of this growing business supporting the growth of a robust and diverse team delivering results that will revolutionise the way we protect and monitor our oceans. Who you are: • Practical and at ease in a waterfront environment., • Confident in your engineering skills in workboats., • Has experience in positions of responsibility for compliance with workplace engineering, marine and safety legislation., • Dynamic and resourceful; you work efficiently and autonomously, you must be content to work with a high degree of flexibility and be on site to support marine activities.., • Able to work within and/or manage teams of colleagues from diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge, levels of experience and expertise., • You build strong working relationships and communicate effectively with your colleagues across various functions., • You balance commercial considerations with a drive for quality, evaluating the data to inform your decision making. What you’ll do: • Take ownership of USV and waterfront equipment maintenance, ensuring all vessels are mission-ready., • Lead with electrical and mechanical installation activities., • Implement vessel configuration changes and support hardware updates., • Support seagoing activities as a crewmember of various AO-owned or chartered workboats during technically challenging sea trials, in Plymouth and elsewhere., • Provide technical support to sea trials and demonstrations in the UK and abroad, expecting travel to various operating sites., • Support the systems design, installation and test of our vessels., • Contribute to the compilation of trial plans, operating manuals and safety cases., • Provide in-house technical training and operational guidance to engineers and subcontractors., • Support trials management and execution; review and assess system design deliverables against trial outcomes., • Be included in trial/demonstration and other general duties watch rosters., • Support AO’s ethos to monitor and protect the ocean in a sustainable manner - you will have an influence on how the systems are designed and used to meet new challenges relating to performance, uptime and scale. What you’ll need (Essential): • Minimum of an industry-recognised UK marine electrical engineering qualification (e.g., Level 3 Diploma in Marine Engineering, City & Guilds/BTEC HNC or equivalent in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or similar relevant technical certification)., • Proven experience in basic marine and electrical engineering, specifically focused on maintenance and fault diagnosis., • Working knowledge of relevant safety and compliance legislation (e.g., HSE and MCA guidance)., • A UK Cat B driving licence., • A desire to take responsibility, and ownership of tasks under tight deadlines., • A willingness and flexibility to commit to reactive changes to a dynamic sea trials programme, including travel., • An ability to work effectively as part of a team, with strong relationship-building skills. What’s desirable (not essential): • Hands-on experience with USV/Marine Robotics hardware, including sensors, power systems, and/or propulsion units., • Prior experience in sea trials or operations involving autonomous systems., • Experience in ROV operation and maintenance and/or hydrographic survey operations., • RYA Powerboat Level 2 or other equivalent small craft handling qualification (to act as crew/support vessel operator)., • An ITSSAR (or equivalent) workplace slinger signaller qualification., • An RTITB (or equivalent) forklift truck driving qualification., • A UK Cat C1 or above driving licence. Benefits/Compensation: • £42-47k salary., • 24 paid vacation days plus Christmas closure and bank holidays., • Comprehensive benefits package from Vitality - access to full health insurance including dental coverage., • Life insurance to 4x your annual salary., • Awesome perks such as discounted gym memberships, mental health cover and global health coverage., • When not required at a waterfront site, a hybrid work environment., • Company laptop.