A General Oceans Company, Strategic Robotic Systems (SRS) manufactures FUSION, an expeditionary system to meet evolving demands in the Defense sector. It is a Hybrid Underwater Vehicle (HUV) that offers operational efficiencies and extensive mission capabilities from one platform. As the only observational ROV with such broad capabilities, it’s defined as an HUV outside the traditional system classification.
The comprehensive standard high resolution sensor package and optional subsystems are closely integrated, providing the operator with an intuitive and user-friendly human machine interface (HMI).
Our aim is to continue the development of next generation underwater systems to solve complex problems in challenging environments.
Director of Engineering
Job Summary: As the Director of Engineering, you will lead SRS’s engineering vision and execution; guiding the design, development, production, and delivery of the company’s subsea technology portfolio.
This role oversees all aspects of engineering, development and deployment of advanced subsea systems through to effective and efficient production readiness. This includes mechanical, electrical, and software components, ensuring innovative, safe, and reliable solutions that meet customer demands and organizational growth.
Combining deep technical expertise in subsea or offshore systems with proven leadership in scaling multidisciplinary engineering teams and delivering complex projects will be key to success in this integral role.
Location: San Diego, California
Reports To: Executive Vice President
Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full-Time
Supervisory Responsibilities: Systems, Software, Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, and Mechatronics Engineers
Salary Range: $170,000 to $200,000 Annually, plus medical, 401k.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute an engineering roadmap aligned with the company vision, market demands, and stakeholder needs.
- Team Management: Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing cross-disciplinary engineering team including mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, robotics, and systems engineering domains.
- Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
- Product Development Oversight: Guide the full product lifecycle for SRS systems, from concept through prototyping, integration, testing, and serial manufacturing. Researches and adopts new technologies and innovations.
- System Design: Reviews and approves engineering designs, plans, and specifications. Oversee the integration of sensors, thrusters, batteries, HMI, tether systems, and structural components, among other things, to ensure reliability, performance, and safety.
- Drive innovation and provide technical guidance and expertise in subsea engineering, including design, analysis, and implementation of subsea systems.
- Collaborate closely with executive leadership on R&D investment, IP strategy, and technology roadmaps.
- Represent engineering in strategic partnerships, customer engagements, and industry forums.
- Operational Excellence: Implement best practices in engineering processes, quality control, documentation, and compliance (e.g., ISO 9001). Monitors and evaluates the performance and progress of engineering projects.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Work closely with product, operations, field support, and customers (including defense agencies like the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard) to align requirements and refine the product in operational settings.
- Innovation & Roadmap: Identify emerging technologies, propose enhancements, and support R&D initiatives.
- Field Support Strategy: Plan and scale engineering support for deployments, field testing, customer training, and maintenance operations. Troubleshoots and resolves engineering issues and challenges.
- Works as an individual contributor, executing engineering tasks as required for the timely completion of projects.
- Reporting: Provides regular reports on the engineering department’s achievements and challenges.
- Budget Development and Management: Responsible for working with finance to ensure fiscal responsibility for the Engineering Department.
Attributes:
- Personal integrity.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and customers.
- Significant expertise in the development of undersea systems, robotics, and autonomy.
- Effectively communicates complex technical concepts and presents ideas and proposals in simple terms.
- Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Manages the priorities of competing tasks against criticality and available time constraints.
- Possesses strong technical skills and adheres to engineering principles and methods for projects.
- Stays current with technological advances and innovations in the engineering field and adopts relevant techniques to improve products and services.
- Leads the development and implementation of long-term plans for the department that align with the overall business objectives of the company.
- Identifies opportunities and challenges and allocates resources efficiently.
- Provides leadership and motivates the engineering group.
- Delegates tasks, provides feedback, and resolves conflicts within the department.
- Inspires and influences team members to achieve a common vision.
- Adept at managing and prioritizing a high volume of projects simultaneously.
- Demonstrate ability to define the scope, budget, timeline, and deliverables of each project, as well as track the progress and performance of each project team.
- Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during a project’s lifecycle.
- Ability to work independently and as a team.
- Detail-oriented and exercise ability to follow directions.
- Highly proactive, self-motivated, and innovative.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, robotics, systems, or equivalent experience and knowledge).
- 10+ years of progressively responsible engineering roles with 5+ years in leadership or managerial positions at technology-driven companies (ideally in robotics, defense, or maritime systems).
- Expertise in:
- Integrated systems engineering (mechatronics, underwater systems, sensor fusion).
- Mechanical design in challenging environments.
- Battery and power management technology.
- Software/firmware architecture for real-time control and autonomy (AUV/ROV modes).
- Experience overseeing product life cycle: prototyping → manufacturing → field deployments.
- Strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred:
- Prior experience with underwater vehicles, robotics, or defense systems.
- Knowledge of relevant certifications (e.g., UN38.3 for battery safety).
- Familiarity with tethered and untethered systems, navigation sensors (DVL, USBL, sonar), and HMI design.
- Understanding of quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and defense contracting processes.
- Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
- Ability to be mobile as related to business needs.
- The ability to lift 60 lbs. occasionally.
- In Office, San Diego, CA.
- Available for domestic and international travel.
- Valid passport.
- Reliable means of transportation to report to work.
FLSA Status: Exempt
