Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton
Networking and Communications Systems Engineer

Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ocean Infinity

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and support networking systems for innovative marine technology.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company transforming operations at sea.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team disrupting traditional industries with cutting-edge tech.
  • Qualifications: Degree in relevant engineering field and strong networking experience required.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety, equality, and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

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.

Role

We are seeking a Networking and Communications Systems Engineer to design, implement, and support the networking, communications, and data pathways that underpin our USV and AUV systems. This is a hybrid role combining:

  • Systems engineering (requirements, architecture, integration)
  • Network & comms engineering (routing, radios, RF, protocols, data links)
  • Hands-on testing & field deployments (lab, bench, sea trials)

You will ensure reliable, secure, high-performance data communication between autonomous platforms, motherships, remote operators, cloud infrastructure, and onboard sensors. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building real systems, configuring hardware, troubleshooting in the field, and ensuring that complex networks behave as intended in challenging marine environments.

What You Will Be Doing

  • Design and document the end-to-end communications architecture for USVs and AUVs (radio, satellite, cellular, mesh, Wi-Fi, acoustic systems).
  • Develop network configurations, routing strategies, link redundancy, and failover paths.
  • Define and maintain IP architectures, VLANs, firewall rules, QoS, bandwidth allocation, and encryption schemes.
  • Configure and integrate network equipment (routers, switches, modems, radios, antennas, cloud-hosted routers, and onboard computing).
  • Perform bench testing, HIL setups, and diagnostic measurements (latency, throughput, RF quality, signal integrity).
  • Support and participate in sea trials to validate communications performance in real conditions.
  • Diagnose comms failures, interference issues, and network bottlenecks during development and deployments.
  • Support live missions: bandwidth management, link tuning, troubleshooting, system reconfiguration.
  • Produce communications system requirements, ICDs, test plans, and verification documentation (lean and pragmatic).
  • Conduct trade studies for new comms technologies (e.g., new satcom services, mesh systems, acoustic modems).
  • Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy engineers to ensure seamless integration.
  • Provide technical support to operations and project teams.
  • Help design tailored communication solutions for specific customer missions or environments.

Who You Are

  • Degree in Networking, Telecommunications, Electrical/Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar.
  • Strong experience with IP networking (routing, switching, VLANs, firewalls, QoS, VPNs).
  • Familiarity with radio and wireless communications (RF fundamentals, antennas, propagation).
  • Hands-on experience configuring network hardware (Cisco, MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Peplink, etc.).
  • Understanding of satellite, 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, or RF mesh communications.
  • Experience building / managing cloud-hosted services.
  • Comfortable building, testing, and troubleshooting real hardware.
  • Experience with Linux networking tools.

Desirable

  • Experience with Ansible, AWS, OpenWRT, WireGuard and RouterOS.
  • Marine communication systems experience (maritime radios, AIS, acoustic communications).
  • Experience with networking for autonomous systems (UAVs, robots, mobile platforms).
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity principles (secure comms, certificate management, hardening).
  • Familiarity with ROS/ROS2 networking, DDS, or middleware.
  • Experience with field deployments and remote operations.

Salary

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.

Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton employer: Ocean Infinity

At Ocean Infinity, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity in the marine technology sector. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering employees the chance to develop their skills across various disciplines while contributing to environmentally responsible operations at sea. With a commitment to safety, equality, and education, we empower our team members to challenge the status quo and make a meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
Ocean Infinity

Contact Detail:

Ocean Infinity Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meetups to connect with professionals in the field. Don't be shy—introduce yourself and share your passion for networking and communications systems.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to networking and communications. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Leverage social media! Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders and join relevant groups. Share articles, insights, and your own experiences to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission. Tailor your application to highlight how your values align with ours, and don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience in the field!

We think you need these skills to ace Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton

Networking Engineering
Communications Systems Design
IP Networking
Routing and Switching
VLAN Configuration
Firewall Management
Quality of Service (QoS)
VPN Configuration
Radio and Wireless Communications
Hands-on Hardware Configuration
Cloud-hosted Services Management
Linux Networking Tools
Troubleshooting Skills
Field Deployment Experience
Cybersecurity Principles

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and innovation shine through. We want to see that you’re excited about transforming operations at sea and that you share our values of courage and conscientiousness.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in networking and communications systems. We love seeing how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your hands-on experience and technical know-how!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your qualifications and experiences are easy to read and understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role – we want to know what you can bring to the table!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our innovative team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ocean Infinity

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like IP networking, RF communications, and cloud services. Brush up on your hands-on experience with network hardware and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these technologies.

✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved communication failures or network bottlenecks in past roles. Highlight your troubleshooting process and any innovative solutions you’ve developed, especially in challenging environments like marine settings.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

This role requires working closely with various engineering teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers in previous projects. Share specific instances where teamwork led to successful outcomes.

✨Align with Company Values

Familiarise yourself with the company’s core values around safety, equality, and environmental responsibility. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these principles in your work.

Networking and Communications Systems Engineer in Southampton
Ocean Infinity
Location: Southampton

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