Fleet Operations Lead Engineer

panthalassa

Portland, OR

Full Time

Posted March 2, 2026

$175k - $280k

Renewable Energy Development

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Job Description

This is an onsite position. Open to discussing hybrid arrangements. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a Fleet Operations Lead Engineer to join our team and provide technical leadership for the operation of the autonomous wave power generator we call a "Node". The Node is a device designed to produce energy in the harshest ocean conditions for extended periods without maintenance. This role is crucial to our success; you will be responsible for ensuring that all individual nodes and the node fleet operate safely and optimally. You will bring together the fleet control software, marine ops, and node controllers.
You will be responsible for the design of fleet ops from key requirements to architecting the operations protocols and standards, to fleet management, monitoring and repositioning.
Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, and Virgin Orbit, and we strive to be the best engineering and operations team on the planet.
Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. You will own your designs cradle-to-grave, from first concept through fabrication and deployment at sea. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.
Accountability: Own Node Fleet at-sea operations from initial deployment to decommissioning.
Provide key input to the fleet control software team to inform GUI design, layouts, and standards. Update and design GUI using simple GUI design tools
Work with fleet simulation team to set geographic boundaries and design fleet movement strategies to maximize power production
Design and run the node operator qualification standard and training program
Ensure nodes do not stray into major shipping lanes or shallow water.
Own the physical design and layout of the fleet control room.
Monitor node physical health and trends, and work with the engineering and marine ops teams to coordinate node return to port for planned or emergent maintenance.

Requirements

Education: A degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or another related discipline.
Experience: 5+ years of experience with marine operations including operations planning accounting for ocean conditions, water depth, geography and weather.
Technical Depth: Extensive experience learning and operating complex mechanical and electrical systems for vehicles or products in challenging, high-consequence environments.
Operations integration: Demonstrated history of integrating operational requirements into hardware and GUI design.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide and receive guidance across various technical levels.
Advanced Expertise: An advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
Software & Data: Proficiency with plotting and analyzing data to evaluate performance trends and hardware health
Design of complex vehicle operations from the ground up, coordinating software, hardware, communications, operators and performance requirements.
Marine Fundamentals: Understanding of engineering fundamentals relevant to marine systems, such as hydraulics, pneumatics, and industrial automation.
The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.
Travel to Portland
Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance, including unlimited PTO and flexible working hours.

Benefits & Perks

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
Cash compensation of $175,000 - $280,000.
Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including: Flexible paid time off Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents) Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents) Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents) Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled) Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).