Senior Electrical Engineer

Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

Work Setup: On-site (90% on-site with robotics hardware team; occasional remote flexibility)

Location: Panama City Beach, FL

Department: Subsea Robotics

Reporting To: Director of Engineering – Subsea Robotics

On behalf of our client,
Terradepth
, we are seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in subsea robotics to own the end-to-end electrical architecture and execution of autonomous underwater systems. In this role, you will lead the design, prototyping, testing, and production of integrated hardware including power systems, embedded electronics, sensing, communications, and control interfaces.

This position requires hands-on development from schematic through PCB layout, system integration, and field validation in harsh marine environments. Working closely with mechanical, software, and operations teams, you will drive requirements definition, component selection, vendor engagement, FMEA, and continuous design iteration based on real-world performance. Success in this role demands strong multidisciplinary expertise, an ownership mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where individuals lead technical direction and directly impact product outcomes.

• Balanced Work Style: Ideal for candidates who enjoy a dynamic mix of office, laboratory, and field work.
• Hands-on Field Participation: Willingness to perform functions outside normal duties, such as assisting with local sea testing and equipment mobilization when required.
• Travel: Anticipated 10–20% travel for vendor visits, field testing, or contract manufacturing oversight.

• Core Electrical Design & Integration:
• Serve as the primary designer of new electrical subsystems, including power generation, storage, conversion, distribution, and protection systems.
• Integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and design custom electronics (PCBAs, harnesses, connectors) for power electronics, sensor integration, and control interfaces.
• Design and integrate control interfaces for thrusters, rotating actuators, and motion components.
• Integrate acoustic, electro-optic, and other sensors to expand Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) data-gathering capabilities.
• Evaluate and manage battery systems (charging, discharging, protection circuits) ensuring full compliance with safety and industry standards.
• Develop and track functional system requirements, design drawings, fabrication drawings, and testing/simulation protocols under strict revision control.
• Conduct Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on existing and upcoming electrical designs.
• Manage relationships with external contract manufacturers and suppliers for PCB fabrication, assembly, and harness production; oversee quality checks and production timelines.
• Collaboration & Technical Leadership:
• Collaborate seamlessly across engineering disciplines to ensure holistic design alignment.
• Self-manage and communicate project goals, milestones, and status effectively to senior leadership.
• Mentor junior electrical engineers and technicians to foster a culture of technical excellence.

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of hands-on experience in electrical subsystem design (ideally for robotics, aerospace, automotive, or high-reliability platforms).
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of power electronics, harness design, and PCBA layout; proficiency in CAD/CAE tools (e.g., Altium) for PCB design.
• Subsea & Embedded Knowledge: Working knowledge of embedded systems, sensor integration, and communication protocols relevant to underwater applications; experience with marine, subsea, or hybrid electric design.
• Quality & Lifecycle: Proven track record in FMEA, risk management, and product lifecycle management for electrical systems.

• Familiarity with battery technologies, charging solutions, and safety standards for high-capacity energy storage.
• Experience with autonomous/unmanned platforms or automotive electric vehicle design.
• Experience in PCB design, actuation, AC/DC power management, robotics, battery systems, and ruggedization of designs.
• Prior experience designing for Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) constraints.