Operating on oceans around the world from Victoria BC, Open Ocean Robotics is a rapidly growing startup transforming how we understand our oceans through better data. We are leaders in solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) that voyage through inhospitable ocean environments.

Are you passionate about advanced robotics technology, performance, and the ocean?

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applicants who reflect diversity in thinking and background as we continue to develop our culture of inclusiveness for all.

We are seeking an innovative and creative Mechatronics Engineering Co-op to be part of our team in beautiful Victoria British Columbia, for an 8-month full-time co-op placement. Someone who is passionate about electro-mechanical systems and has a love of the ocean and robotics. The successful candidate would work alongside our hardware team members in optimizing our existing DataXplorer electronics package and preparing for our next generation of vessels.

As a Mechatronics Engineering Co-op you are focused on hardening our DataXplorer vessel. This will involve building test jigs and harnesses to test system components, building and testing mounts for sensors on the DataXplorer, writing and testing code for the next generation of vessel electronics, improving the vessel electronics harnessing, test scripting (Python) for the existing test bed(s), and verification of the whole system. Over the course of the Co-op you may also assist the Electronics design team in the verification and bring-up of the next generation electronics prototypes. You are familiar with 3D printers and CAD software, embedded real-time operating systems and Git-based programming workflows, comfortable with hands-on circuit troubleshooting, have lab experience for hardware verification (use of oscilloscopes, function generators, prototype breadboarding, serial communications, etc.), know your basic electronics components, and are proficient using a soldering iron.

As a member of the hardware team, you will be responsible for contributing to assemblies and test jigs, liaising with the manufacturing team, for meeting the commitments that your team agrees on, and for learning a lot of new things.

In short, you will become an integral part of the team during your Co-op at Open Ocean Robotics!

Any experience with autonomous systems such as UAV, USV or other autonomous vehicles is a bonus!

In this role you will:

• Work on a team to deliver quality engineering solutions in a collaborative environment.
• Write high-quality documentation to support your verification and development activities.
• Learn the core USV architecture and improve your systems knowledge.
• Contribute to the next generation vessel.
• Write high-quality test code.
• Participate in design and code reviews, accepting and offering timely and constructive criticism that helps us prevent defects.
• Proactively report and fix defects.
• Document solutions and processes.

Requirements

Our ideal candidate will have:

• 1 or more years of relevant experience to this position.
• At least second year standing at an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrable experience with mechanical part design, electronics test equipment, testing procedures and/or Python.
• Familiarity with Git and related branching workflows.
• Experience with hardware and software development lifecycle and agile development practices.
• A positive attitude, will be reliable, and a self-motivated team player.
• Bonus: experience with low-level analog signals, ocean sensors, knowledge of NMEA messages, knowledge of CAN messages, GPS interfacing, servos/PWM techniques, satellite communications.
• Bonus: experience with Altium 365 and parts management.
• Bonus: experience with the Zephyr RTOS.
• Bonus: background and understanding of unmanned systems such as UAVs, USVs or other autonomous vehicles.