Job Description
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.