Overview --> Appointments and Promotions Table of Contents --> Technical Staff and Departmental Assistants --> Engineering Technical Career Paths

The following pages describe the job, duties, and minimum desired hiring qualifications for positions on the engineering ladder. Individuals in all positions must be willing and able to go to sea for extended periods if required.

LABORATORY ASSISTANT I AND II

Same as for Science/Research Technical Career Path.
 

ENGINEERING ASSISTANT I

With close supervision, uses established procedures to perform prescribed tasks related to the engineering support of oceanographic research.

Characteristic duties:

• assists in assembly, maintenance, and repair of equipment with specific instructions and review of work upon completion;
• assists in functional testing of instrumentation following well-defined procedures for set-up and operation of standard test equipment.

Desired Qualifications:

High School or equivalent plus one year mechanical or electronics experience, or Technical School training beyond high school level. Applicants are expected to have a basic understanding of and facility with common practical skills related to their area of work.

ENGINEERING ASSISTANT II

With some supervision, applies acquired knowledge of established procedures to the assembly, testing, and use of equipment in support of engineering projects related to oceanographic research.

Characteristic duties:

• assists in assembly, maintenance, and repair of equipment with instruction and advice; exercises judgment in selecting or adapting procedures and equipment;
• selects and operates standard test equipment, records test data, and performs routine analyses;
• conducts various tests or experiments to troubleshoot and correct minor malfunctions.

Desired Qualifications:

High School or equivalent plus three years' mechanical or electronics experience, or Technical School training plus one year related experience, or one to two years' progress toward an engineering or related degree.

ENGINEERING ASSISTANT III

With little supervision, applies a broad knowledge of established procedures to the assembly, testing, or calibration of equipment developed and used in support of engineering projects related to oceanographic instrumentation.

Characteristic duties:

• performs non-routine assignments of substantial variety and complexity given
• well-defined objectives and technical advice from a supervisor or engineering staff member;
• fabricates and constructs complex components of instrumentation requiring care and accuracy, seeking advice as necessary;
• uses computers to run application programs or to do simple programming tasks;
• uses CAD systems to prepare schematics, drawings, or parts lists; makes recommendations concerning these items;
• may direct field operations in area of specialty.

Desired Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent plus six years' mechanical or electronics experience, or Technical School training plus four years' practical experience, or two to three years' progress toward an engineering or related degree.

SENIOR ENGINEERING ASSISTANT I

With minimum supervision, applies experience and comprehensive understanding of related procedures and equipment to complex assignments in support of oceanographic engineering projects or facilities.

Characteristic duties:

• with established guidelines, is responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting significant and often critical components of an engineering or scientific effort, particularly when field work is involved;
• fabricates and constructs complex instrumentation components requiring extraordinary care and accuracy;
• conducts tests and organizes engineering data, prepares reports of such tests, and makes recommendations for repairs or improvements;
• directs field operations in area of specialty and/or may supervise work of other departmental assistants.

Desired Qualifications:

Considerable experience in specialized field; consistently exceptional performance and a demonstrated record of reliable and timely task completion; invaluable long-term experience at the Institution coupled with technical support of the highest quality as a critical team member.

SENIOR ENGINEERING ASSISTANT II

With minimum supervision, applies extensive operational experience and a comprehensive understanding of related procedures and equipment to complex assignments in support of scientific or engineering projects or facilities related to oceanographic investigations.

Characteristic duties:

• with established guidelines, is responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting significant and often critical components of an engineering or scientific effort, particularly when field operations are involved;
• supervises other technicians in the construction, testing, maintenance, and/or use of an operational suite of oceanographic equipment or instrumentation;
• conducts tests and organizes engineering data, prepares reports of such tests and makes recommendations for repairs or improvements;
• directs field operations in area of specialty.

Desired Qualifications:

Substantial experience in specialized field; consistently exceptional performance and a demonstrated superior record of reliable and timely task completion where direction of a team effort is required. Individuals at this level often combine invaluable experience in oceanography and the ability to manage a technical support group with a focus on quality and function as an operational resource.

ENGINEER I

This is an entry level position designed to encourage the connection and application of academic training to results-oriented projects in support of scientific and research activities. Initially this position will have direct supervision to achieve structured and assigned objectives. Characteristic Duties:

• applies basic research principles and standard laboratory instrumentation to engineering design efforts;
• tests designs, calibrates instrumentation, troubleshoots mechanical/electronic systems;
• develops computer code, microprocessor code, and uses CAD, CAE tools;
• participates in report writing to document instrumentation developments and tests;
• develops basic practical engineering skills to enhance technical competence and versatility.

Desired Qualifications:

Engineering degree or other appropriate discipline with minimal work experience, or evidence of an established, specialized engineering skill gained through experience in the absence of a formal degree. (Candidates with a Bachelor's degree and minimal experience in an unrelated field will likely start on the Department Assistant ladder.) Career Potential:As an initial position on the Technical Staff, an Engineer I is not expected to remain at this level for more than two to three years. During this time, the Engineer I is expected to demonstrate the appropriate engineering skills, intellectual motivation, and growth in independence and creativity to warrant promotion to the Engineer II position. Failure to reach the level of Engineer II within two to three years may warrant reclassification or termination.

ENGINEER II

With some supervision to achieve assigned objectives, identifies and participates in engineering projects in support of scientific and research activities through the demonstration of one or more specialized skills. Will be expected to work on tasks requiring creativity and independent thinking, along with a proven understanding of fundamental research and engineering principles.

Characteristic Duties:

• conceptualizes solutions to engineering problems;
• develops, calibrates, and tests new designs and techniques;
• develops computer code, microprocessor code, and uses CAD, CAE tools;
• troubleshoots electronic/mechanical systems;
• participates in report writing to document developments and tests. May single-author reports and articles;
• may supervise other personnel.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's degree in an engineering or appropriate field with minimal experience, or Bachelor's degree in engineering or appropriate field with several years of relevant experience, or demonstrated competency as an Engineer I, or significant, progressive independence and skill development at the Engineering Assistant III or Senior Engineering Assistant levels or equivalent positions on the other technical ladders, or equivalent work experience in the absence of a formal degree. (Candidates with a Master's degree in an unrelated field and minimal relevant experience will likely start on the Department Assistant ladder.) Career Potential:An Engineer II will have demonstrated initial competence in one or more areas of engineering. The opportunity exists for assumption of increased technical and/or managerial responsibilities based on the continued development of expertise. While there is no time limit to appointment at this rank, promotion within the Technical Staff is expected. To that end, promotion consideration can occur as early as the third year in rank; formal consideration should normally occur within five or six years in rank.

RESEARCH ENGINEER

With little supervision, works creatively and independently to establish objectives, meet deadlines, and complete difficult engineering assignments by demonstrating full competency in one or more engineering areas; assists substantively in planning technical aspects of experiments, as well as design, testing, and use of major system components.

Characteristic Duties:

• develops major portions of electronic or mechanical systems with supervision consisting primarily of milestone progress reviews; frequently acts as Project Engineer on major projects;
• conducts hardware developments such as new sensor techniques, autonomous battery-powered instrumentation, control systems for manned and robotic submersibles, etc.;
• writes complex computer code for use in instrumentation, system modeling, and electronic design;
• develops new sampling methods involving complex mechanical, electrical, or electronic instrumentation;
• plays a significant role in report writing and proposal preparation and may single-author results;
• interacts with scientific and technical staff colleagues to foster research ideas, develop and hone research/experimental skills;
• may supervise one or more Engineering Assistants and/or Engineers.

Desired Qualifications:

Ph.D. in related engineering field, or Master's degree in an engineering or appropriate field with several years of related experience, or Bachelor's degree in an engineering or appropriate field with more than five years of related experience. In the absence of a formal degree, considerable equivalent work experience is required. Successful candidates will have demonstrated the technical skill, motivation, independence, and creativity necessary to complete difficult engineering tasks. Career Potential:While there is no appropriate time limit for appointment at this rank, exceptional individuals will be promoted. Candidates should develop a mastery of specialized techniques or ingenuity and creativity in selecting and evaluating approaches to problems. They should develop the ability to apply an analytical approach to solutions and to assimilate the details and significance of various analyses, procedures, and tests prior to being considered for promotion.

SENIOR ENGINEER

With increased latitude for unreviewed activity and using a broad view of engineering technologies and their application to marine science, contributes substantially to the conception, organization, execution, management, and reporting of engineering significant technological projects. A Senior Engineer is recognized within the Institution as an authority in his/her field of specialization or in management of complex projects.

Characteristic Duties:

• develops major portions of electronic/mechanical systems without supervision;
• fulfills all the characteristic duties appropriate to a Research Engineer but with a broader view of engineering technologies and their applications to marine science, particularly in the role of a group or project leader;
• exercises substantial creativity, motivation, and independence in engineering project development;
• may serve as a principal investigator, with full responsibility for proposal preparation, grant financial and management oversight, and the supervision of the staff necessary to support the grant activities;
• produces research findings for publication and/or reports to funding agencies.

Desired Qualifications:

Appropriate academic background enhanced by more than 10 years of specifically related experience. All candidates must possess demonstrated excellence within a related field, i.e., a record of superior accomplishment-such as patents, publications, or documented instrumentation or systems--which provides objective evidence of original professional contributions and/or exceptional management skills.

Career Potential:

There is no appropriate time limit at this rank. Exceptional individuals can be considered for promotion when they have demonstrated creativity and considerable independent engineering and scientific judgment, as well as a demonstrated effectiveness as a project and engineering manager. Recognition within the Institution and within the broader oceanographic community as an authority in the field, is normally a prerequisite for promotion.

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Recognized as a leader in the field by functioning as an independent researcher or manager. Has full responsibility for project tasks requiring application of management skills and authoritative knowledge of appropriate underlying scientific principles and practices for engineering projects; uses and creates advanced techniques and, instrumentation, and creates modifications and extensions of theories, precepts, and practices relevant to the field in which the incumbent is recognized as a leading authority, and/or provides management and superior leadership of a group of technical staff members.

Characteristic Duties:

• has full technical and managerial responsibility for evaluating, organizing, and coordinating major technical efforts as a direct requirement of a scientific project and for key technological developments for future investigations;
• participates at the highest Institution level for the development of overall scientific strategies, the identification of areas for technological emphasis, and the formulation of experimental techniques;
• speaks for and represents the Institution's interests in high-level planning activities concerned with technological developments, externally to the Institution;
• operates as a laboratory head, unit head, or independent researcher, with full supervisory and management responsibilities;
• through research endeavors and the preparation of research results and reports, contributes patentable inventions, important research techniques, and/or engineering designs that significantly impact the ways different aspects of ocean science are studied.

Desired Qualifications:

Appropriate academic background or its equivalent relevant work experience, enhanced by more than 15 years of increasingly successful and creative achievement. Candidates for this rank are recognized as leaders and authorities in their field through their original contributions. They must have had far-reaching impact on the scientific activities of the Institution and their field. They should have demonstrated high levels of creativity and independence (i.e., a record of superior accomplishment--such as patents, publications, or documented instrumentation--which provides objective evidence of original professional contributions) with foresight and judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding extensive and complex engineering projects.