Robotics / Systems Engineer in Plymouth

Robotics / Systems Engineer

Hybrid; Plymouth-based

No recruiters. Previous candidates need not apply

Overview

Founded in 2020, ACUA Ocean is a fast-growing, Plymouth-based maritime technology company at the forefront of maritime autonomy and low-emission propulsion. We design, build and operate uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) that deliver ocean data collection, monitoring and maritime security capabilities for the defence, offshore energy and marine conservation sectors.

Our first vessel, USV Pioneer, is a 14m Pioneer-class SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) USV with hybrid-electric propulsion, designed to stay stable in higher sea states while carrying modular sensor and system payloads. In 2025 USV Pioneer became the UK’s first uncrewed vessel to be certified under the MCA Workboat Code 3, controlled from our Remote Operations Centre (ROC) in Plymouth. With further Pioneer-class vessels and larger platforms in development, we are hiring a Robotics Engineer to join the Applications Team within our growing Engineering function, designing and developing the robotic software and systems that allow our USVs to operate and persist at sea.

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.

Who you are

• You should have 2+ years’ experience in robotics, control systems or electrical/electronic systems integration, with a proven ability to work independently.
• Able to work across 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
• Able to work autonomously with a proactive mindset
• Equally at home at the workbench, inside a control cabinet or writing code, and happy to get hands-on with the vessel during trials
• Safety-minded: you know that robust, reliable systems are the foundation of safe uncrewed operations
• You balance commercial design considerations with a drive for quality, evaluating the data to inform your decision making

What you’ll do

• Design and develop robotic software and systems that allow safe, reliable and performant operation of ACUA Ocean’s USVs
• Lead low-voltage electrical and electronic integration of vessel and payload equipment
• Develop low-level control systems for onboard equipment and subsystems
• Develop, test and maintain PLC programs for payload control and monitoring
• Integrate sensors, both internal and external, to improve system observability and data quality
• Provide systems engineering support to equipment and payload integration within the Applications Team, including design
• Collaborate with the Software Team to deliver remote control and monitoring between our vessels, payloads and the Remote Operations Centre (ROC)
• Provide engineering support to Operations during harbour and sea trials
• Contribute to payload systems architecture development and design reviews, growing towards design authority for Applications Team systems decisions

What you’ll need

• UK citizenship. We will not sponsor visas.
• Ability to obtain UK security clearance
• Degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control Engineering or a related engineering discipline with 2+ years of experience (particularly in hardware projects or systems)
• Hands-on experience of low-voltage electrical and electronic integration, including working from schematics and wiring diagrams
• Experience developing low-level control systems or embedded software
• PLC programming experience (e.g. IEC 61131-3 languages, CODESYS)
• Knowledge of networking (e.g. TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC UA) (desirable)
• Knowledge of functional safety (e.g. IEC 61508)(desirable)
• Experience with power systems, such as battery or hybrid-electric systems (desirable)
• Experience in the maritime sector, uncrewed systems or field trials (desirable)

Benefits/Compensation

• £50-60k salary (depending on experience)
• 24 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays plus Christmas closure
• Comprehensive benefits package from Vitality - access to full health insurance including dental coverage, discounted gym memberships, mental health cover and global health coverage
• A hybrid work environment, giving you flexibility over where you work when you’re not needed on site
• Life insurance to 4x your annual salary
• Support towards formal training and qualifications (e.g. functional safety)
• Payment of professional fees
• Company laptop

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