Maritime Test Engineer - Autonomous Systems

As a Maritime Test Engineer for Autonomous Systems, you will be on the front lines of proving our autonomous surface vehicles are ready for real-world deployment. This is a hands-on, on-the-water role: you will spend significant time aboard vessels executing test events, operating and monitoring autonomy systems, collecting data, and turning what you observe at sea into actionable findings for the engineering team. You will help bridge the gap between cutting-edge R&D and mission-proven capability, ensuring our systems are performant, reliable, and safe in the most demanding environments on Earth.

Execute on-water test events for our fleet of autonomous surface vehicles, participating directly in sorties aboard test and chase vessels in closed-course and open-ocean environments

Support pre-underway system checkouts, launch and recovery operations, and pier-side preparation of test vessels

Operate and monitor autonomy systems during test events, executing test cards and procedures while maintaining situational awareness and safety on deck

Collect, manage, and perform first-pass analysis of test data, ensuring data quality and completeness for each sortie

Identify, document, and triage system discrepancies and anomalies using agile program management tooling such as Atlassian Jira, working closely with autonomy and hardware engineering teams

Contribute to test plans, test procedures, and test readiness reviews under the direction of the Test & Evaluation Director

Author clear, comprehensive after action reports and test reports that capture results, observations, and recommendations

Support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) and simulation-based testing between on-water events

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Ocean, Systems), Computer Science, or a related technical field — or equivalent hands-on experience

3+ years of experience in test, integration, or field operations of complex electro-mechanical or software-intensive systems

Hands-on experience testing or operating autonomous or unmanned systems in a relevant domain (air, ground, or sea)

Comfort and demonstrated ability working on vessels offshore for extended periods, in potentially harsh conditions

Experience with agile program management tooling such as Atlassian Jira

Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to draft clear test reports and after action reports

Willingness and ability to travel up to 30% of the time, including periods spent offshore on vessels of various sizes

U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance

Travel Requirements:

Up to 40% travel, including significant time offshore

Role will be based in San Diego, CA

Security Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen

Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

Direct, hands-on experience with Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) or Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)

Experience with on-deck maritime operations, including vessel handling, launch and recovery, and working with pier-side and port service partners; USCG credentials or small boat qualifications are a plus

Familiarity with marine electronics, RF communications, GPS/GNSS, and shipboard sensor systems

Experience supporting government test programs, particularly with the U.S. Navy

Prior military experience in a relevant operational or technical field (e.g., Navy EOD, Naval Special Warfare (NSW), or billets related to operations of robotic and autonomous systems (RAS))

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $145,000 to $170,000 USD annually.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!