Senior Marine Electronics Technician

Senior Marine Electronics Technician

The mission of William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Marine Operations at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS maintains and operates a fleet of research vessels and also offers a broad range of technical services to the scientific community. The research fleet at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS comprises more than 30 small boats and several larger vessels staffed with dedicated crews. Our technicians, machinists, welders, fabricators and mechanics can design, fabricate and repair complex electronic and mechanical instruments and tools.

They can also assist in designing field programs and conducting field work, either locally or away. The Senior Marine Electronics Technician supports scientific research by maintaining, integrating, and troubleshooting marine electronic and hydroacoustic systems across the Batten School & VIMS research fleet. Reporting to the Port Engineer, this position plays a key role in vessel data acquisition, shipboard instrumentation reliability, and scientific mission readiness.

Reporting to the Port Engineer, the Senior Marine Electronics Technician (SMET) focuses on research vessel data acquisition via hydroacoustic and hydrographic equipment. The SMET will be responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical and electronic equipment on all VIMS vessels, and will provide advice on the acquisition of marine and other electronic equipment. The position also assists with general IT related issues in Marine Operations.

Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

Marine Electronic Support – On Shore Various shore-based tasks centered on the support of scientific missions (pre-cruise preparation, within cruise communications and troubleshooting, post-cruise data product delivery).

• Coordinates and interfaces with research scientist regarding research vessel data products to ensure achievement of research objectives.
• Coordinates repair, maintenance, installation and purchase of marine electronic equipment, primarily for vessels.
• Partners with Port Engineer to ensure on-time completion of various projects.

Marine Electronic Support – At Sea Participate in at-sea research activity during implementation of R/V Virginia multibeam echo sounder (approximately 50 days per year).

• Performs mobilization and demobilization of hydroacoustic equipment in support of research operations.
• Designs and implements and/or directs implementation of data acquisition protocols aboard research vessel. Develops data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic data interfacing.
• Implements hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, including collection calibration of data from hydroacoustic instruments.
• Maintains and troubleshoots scientific grade electronic instruments and equipment.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent

Competencies:

• Knowledge of hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, with the ability to calibrate data from hydroacoustic instruments.
• Working knowledge of Echosounder and hydroacoustic instrument operational theory.
• Working knowledge of operational theory and system integration of oceanographical instruments, including CTD, rosette bottle sampler, hydrographic winch, sea cable termination, fluorometer, ADCP, flow sensors and related devices
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics for cables and circuits.
• Demonstrated skills in cable construction, cable splicing and soldering (Cat-5, use of diagnostic equipment), sea cable waterproofing and…