Glider (AUV) Technician I
Confidential
Posted: May 14, 2026
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Quick Summary
The Glider (AUV) Technician I at A.I.S., Inc. is responsible for supporting the preparation, deployment, recovery, and analysis of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for the Ecosystem Science Division of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC).
Required Skills
Job Description
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 I to support the SWFSCs Ecosystem Science Division (ESD).
Primary Function:
The Glider (AUV) Technician I 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
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 from an accredited college or university with a major in natural or physical science, computational science, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field; or a combination totaling five (5) years of combined education and experience
Preferred Qualifications:
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