Hardware Prototyping Engineer

About DeepWater Exploration (DWE.ai)

We build advanced underwater vision systems and marine robotics. Based in San Diego, we design and manufacture everything in-house, from custom subsea camera modules and PCBs to patented optics and aerospace-grade housings. We are a fast-moving hardware team, and we’re looking for a hands-on technician to help us build, test, and scale our products.

The Role

We need a versatile hardware technician who can jump into whatever project is on the bench today. You might spend Monday testing a new batch of cameras, Tuesday assembling an ROV for a water test, and Wednesday CADing and 3D printing a custom mount for a new sensor.

If you know your way around a soldering iron, understand how to order custom PCBs, and like building mechanical test rigs from scratch, we want to talk to you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Hardware Testing: Test and benchmark cameras, sensor interfaces, and computer hardware using our software and custom test setups.
• CAD & Rapid Fabrication: Design custom mechanical parts, test mounts, or fixtures in CAD, and bring them to physical reality using in-house 3D printers and CNC machines.
• Lab & Equipment Setup: Figure out, set up, and maintain various types of new prototyping and manufacturing machinery as we expand our production capabilities.
• PCB Management: Do light PCB layouts, source components, and handle the actual ordering process with PCB fab houses.
• Mechanical & System Assembly: Build and assemble complex electro-mechanical systems, including ROVs, camera sub-assemblies, and custom test platforms.
• Soldering & Prototyping: Handle surface-mount and through-hole soldering for rapid prototypes and board rework.
• Ad-hoc Projects: Take on a wide mix of random engineering tasks to support the R&D team, whether that’s building a quick rig or troubleshooting a sensor interface.

What We’re Looking For

• A solid understanding of hardware peripherals, specifically USB, computer interfaces, and sensor protocols.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360) for designing basic parts and test fixtures.
• Hands-on experience running and maintaining 3D printers, plus a basic working knowledge of CNC machining.
• Familiarity with PCB design software and a clear understanding of how to source parts and order boards from manufacturers.
• Great hands-on fabrication skills, you are comfortable soldering, wiring, and using standard shop tools to build things.
• Experience building, assembling, or troubleshooting ROVs, robotics, or similar electro-mechanical systems.
• Highly resourceful. When a new piece of hardware or lab equipment arrives, you can read the manual, figure it out, and get it running without needing someone to hold your hand.
• Fluency in standard technical hardware terminology.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Experience with Python or C++ to run basic test scripts.
• A background working with waterproofing enclosures or subsea electronics.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $75,000 - $95,000 DOE (Depending on Experience)
• Equity: Meaningful equity package (Stock Options) so you share in our success.
• Benefits: Medical insurance, Dental insurance, PTO, 401(k), stock options, free snacks and drinks at the office.
• Perks: Flexible startup culture, a brand new lab facility to help build out, and the chance to work directly on cutting-edge subsea robotics instead of just being a cog in a massive machine.