Glider (AUV) Technician II

aisobservers· Scientific Research and Technical Services Department
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📍 La Jolla, California, United StatesFull Time

About this role

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is looking for a Glider (AUV) Technician II to support the SWFSCs Ecosystem Science Division (ESD).


Primary Function:

The Glider (AUV) Technician II will support the Southwest Fisheries Science Center's (SWFSC) Ecosystem Science Division in the preparation, deployment, recovery, piloting, and data analysis of autonomous underwater gliders used to monitor pelagic ecosystems in the Southern and Pacific Oceans. The position supports NOAA's mission to collect ecosystem observations that characterize the physical environment and marine organisms, providing data used for fisheries management, Antarctic conservation, and California Current ecosystem assessments.


Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Ballasting gliders and cleaning/sealing them in preparation for deployment
  • Performing pre-deployment system checks and test flights in the SWFSC tech tank
  • Defining mission parameters and preparing mission files for deployment
  • Calibrating and preparing ADCP/Es, CTD sensors, and mooring buoys for deployment
  • Piloting gliders throughout deployments on rotating 24-hour shifts, monitoring flight performance, and responding to mission interruptions
  • Going to sea on small boats or research vessels to deploy and recover gliders
  • Maintaining clean, organized, and accessible glider workspaces
  • Submitting monthly progress reports reflecting status and progress of all tasks
  • Calibrating oceanographic sensors and troubleshooting hardware/software issues
  • Preparing glider post-deployment reports and processing/analyzing glider data
  • Preparing procurement packages for glider maintenance, calibrations, and repairs
  • Maintaining service records and component inventories to schedule regular maintenance
  • Providing oversight and instruction to newer/less-experienced glider team members
  • Creating and maintaining glider deployment and piloting schedules
  • Preparing shipping documents for hazardous materials as necessary
  • Preparing reports, papers, and presentations; attending scientific conferences as appropriate


Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on candidates' depth of experience. This is a full-time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a qualifying field plus four (4) years of related experience; or eight (8) years combined education and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience maintaining, preparing, deploying, and recovering autonomous underwater vehicles
  • Experience calibrating and programming glider-integrated scientific sensors
  • Experience piloting gliders and troubleshooting mission issues
  • Experience writing code to process and analyze real-time or delayed glider data


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's Degree plus two (2) years' experience or Ph.D. may substitute for experience
  • Familiarity with oceanographic instruments including CTD sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, acoustic and optical systems
  • Prior experience with California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) survey operations
  • Experience preparing hazardous materials shipping documentation

 

Travel:

  • Travel is required (personnel will be expected to go to sea on small boats or research vessels to deploy and recover gliders, and potentially for longer survey activities)
  • Travel frequency is variable and dependent on deployment schedules.

 

Location:

  • 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 (Southwest Fisheries Science Center)

 

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please visit our Careers Page to submit the required information:

 

  • Resume
  • Cover letter detailing relevant experience.
  • 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number)

 

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please reach out to our Talent Team or call 774-770-5833.


An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

 

Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • Equal Opportunity Employer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Glider (AUV) Technician II position at aisobservers?
The salary for this Glider (AUV) Technician II role at aisobservers is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Glider (AUV) Technician II position at aisobservers located?
This Glider (AUV) Technician II role at aisobservers is based in La Jolla, California, United States. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Glider (AUV) Technician II role at aisobservers full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full Time position. It is posted as a Glider (AUV) Technician II role in the Scientific Research and Technical Services Department department at aisobservers.
Which team or department does the Glider (AUV) Technician II at aisobservers belong to?
This Glider (AUV) Technician II position is part of the Scientific Research and Technical Services Department department at aisobservers. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Glider (AUV) Technician II position at aisobservers?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to aisobservers's official application portal hosted on bamboohr where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Glider (AUV) Technician II job at aisobservers posted?
This Glider (AUV) Technician II position at aisobservers was posted on May 13, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Glider (AUV) Technician II
aisobservers
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