Hardware Engineering Lead in Southampton

We are using and creating technology to transform operations at sea to enable people and the planet to thrive. We are open-minded and fearless in our approach to innovation and don't believe in boundaries. We challenge everything and have massive ambitions to drag aging industries into the tech era. We take safety, equality and education very seriously, and our responsibilities don't stop at our front door. Our business is built on the belief that there's definitely a more environmentally responsible way to operate at sea. We employ people who share our core values. We expect our people to be courageous, trustworthy, and conscientious, driven by a desire to do the right thing. We strive for excellence, work collaboratively, and are genuinely excited by our work. We offer opportunities for our people to develop beyond their role and span a multitude of disciplines. These are open to all, regardless of background and experience level. Working with us means being part of a team that is harnessing technology and creativity to disrupt a traditional industry. We are not your average workplace.

Ocean Infinity is seeking a Hardware Engineering Lead to drive the engineering design and development of hardware systems across Ocean Infinity’s product portfolio, ensuring delivery from concept through to deployment and lifecycle support. This role is responsible for translating product, operational and fleet requirements into robust engineering solutions, driving high-quality design outputs, and ensuring hardware products are delivered to meet performance, reliability and operational standards in demanding marine environments. The Hardware Engineering Lead plays a critical role in scaling Ocean Infinity’s transition to a product-led technology business, ensuring engineering execution is structured, controlled and aligned to roadmap priorities. The Hardware Engineering Lead reports into the Head of Hardware.

What will you do:

• Lead the Hardware Engineering team and set clear direction on priorities, delivery and performance.
• Own the engineering design lifecycle from concept through to validation and release.
• Translate product, fleet and commercial requirements into clear engineering outputs.
• Ensure hardware is designed for reliability, manufacturability, maintainability and safe operation.
• Work closely with Product, Fleet, Software and Robotics teams to ensure systems work together effectively.
• Support the development of deployable systems, subsea hardware and supporting technologies.
• Act as the main engineering contact for fleet requests and ensure timely response to operational needs.
• Ensure all engineering documentation is accurate, controlled and accessible through PLM systems such as SolidWorks Manage.
• Maintain high standards across design outputs including 2D and 3D documentation in line with ISO9001.
• Own design reviews, change control processes and resolution of engineering issues.
• Ensure engineering work is prioritised based on roadmap, operational demand and delivery timelines.
• Support the Head of Hardware with maintaining visibility of the hardware portfolio and roadmap.
• Provide input on delivery timelines, risks and engineering trade-offs.
• Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes, tools and ways of working.

What good looks like:

• Hardware products are delivered on time and are ready for real operational use.
• Engineering outputs are clear, controlled and require minimal rework.
• Documentation is accurate, consistent and easy to access across the business.
• Engineering work is aligned with product priorities and fleet requirements.
• The team is accountable, responsive and delivering to a high standard.

Who you are:

• Degree or equivalent experience in engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience across the hardware product development lifecycle.
• Proficient in CAD and PLM tools such as SolidWorks, Inventor and SolidWorks Manage.
• Good understanding of engineering principles, systems integration and design assurance.
• Experience working in high integrity or complex engineering environments such as marine, robotics, defence or aerospace.
• Experience leading or supporting engineering teams delivering hardware products.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills in a fast paced environment.
• Clear communicator with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams.
• Comfortable working with autonomy and taking ownership of delivery.
• Strong problem solving skills and attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Experience in marine, subsea or autonomous systems.
• Understanding of configuration control and engineering change processes.
• Experience supporting products through deployment and operational use.
• Exposure to product-led environments rather than project-based delivery.

Salary for this position: up to £85,000 per annum. The salary varies for this position as we are recruiting in multiple regional locations and job grades. The salary process is based on skills, abilities, and experience required.

What you can expect:

At Ocean Infinity, we believe in creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating each and everyone’s differences. We are driven by transforming the industry, through our technology, thoughts, behaviours and actions. Being inclusive and respectful to all is fundamental to who we are. It is the right thing to do and enables innovation and creativity to thrive. There is more work to be done, and we know that we aren’t perfect, but our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our mission and the impact we have on the industry, meaning, we cannot live without them.