At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and support networking for cutting-edge AUV/USV systems in marine environments.
- Company: Join a pioneering tech company transforming operations at sea with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid role with hands-on testing and real-world impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that challenges the norm and drives environmental responsibility.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant engineering field and strong IP networking experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € 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.
We are seeking a Networking and Communications Specialist to design, implement, and support the networking, communications, and data pathways that underpin our USV and AUV systems. This is a hybrid role combining:
- Network & comms engineering (routing, radios, RF, protocols, data links)
- Hands-on testing & field deployments (lab, bench, sea trials)
- Systems engineering (requirements, architecture, integration)
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 & Communications Specialist - AUV/USV Systems 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 diverse opportunities for employees to expand their skills while contributing to environmentally responsible operations at sea. Join us in a hybrid role as a Networking & Communications Specialist, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming traditional industries through cutting-edge technology and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Networking & Communications Specialist - AUV/USV Systems in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meetups to connect with folks in the networking and communications field. Don't be shy—introduce yourself and share your passion for tech and innovation!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to AUV/USV systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you tackle real-world challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with network configurations and troubleshooting in challenging environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about joining our mission. Tailor your application to highlight how your values align with ours—courage, trustworthiness, and a drive for excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Networking & Communications Specialist - AUV/USV Systems in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for networking and communications shine through. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about the role and how it fits into our mission of transforming operations at sea.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in networking, communications, and any hands-on testing you've done. We love seeing how your skills align with what we're looking for, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot. Use bullet points if it helps – we’re all about efficiency!
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’s super easy to do!
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 knowledge of routing, switching, and network configurations, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've configured network hardware or conducted field deployments. Be ready to share examples of troubleshooting you've done in real-world scenarios, especially in challenging environments like marine settings.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with the company’s core values around safety, equality, and environmental responsibility. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss this during the interview to show you’re a good cultural fit.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current projects, challenges they face in communications technology, or how they envision the future of networking in marine operations. This shows you’re engaged and eager to contribute.
