iO Associates
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - ROVs
We are partnering with a market leader in subsea robotics to hire a
Senior Mechanical Engineer
to drive design and qualification of
work-class and observation-class ROVs, TMS/LARS, manipulators, and subsea tooling . You will architect rugged, serviceable hardware for deepwater environments, balancing hydrodynamics, reliability, and manufacturability under extreme pressure and corrosive conditions. Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end mechanical design for
ROV frames, buoyancy, thruster/propulsor integration, manipulators, tool skids, compensated hydraulic systems, pressure housings, and wet-mate interfaces .
Perform analysis and testing:
structural & fatigue FEA, hydrodynamic drag/lift (CFD), vibration, shock, and thermal ; correlate with tank/flow-loop and sea trials.
Engineer
pressure-balanced/oil-filled
systems, compensators, dynamic/static seals, bearings, and gear trains for deepwater duty (3,000-6,000 m).
Specify materials/coatings for seawater service:
super duplex / Ti / 6Al-4V / 6061-T6 / 7075 / PEEK / acetal , ceramics, and elastomers; design for galvanic isolation and
cathodic protection .
Own product documentation: BoMs, drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), assembly/test procedures, maintenance manuals.
Define and execute qualification test plans:
pressure/vacuum, leak & helium sniff, endurance cycling, IP/ingress, proof/ultimate loads , and
DNV/ABS
compliance.
Qualifications
BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering
(or related).
7-12+ years
designing
ROVs, subsea tooling, manipulators, TMS/LARS, or pressure-balanced subsea equipment .
Expert in
SolidWorks or Inventor ,
ANSYS/Abaqus , and tolerance stack-ups; hands-on prototyping and test.
Deep knowledge of
subsea materials, corrosion/erosion, sealing, hydraulics , and
wet-mate connectors .
Familiarity with
API 17H/17F (ISO 13628), DNV/ABS class rules , and documentation for certification.
Clear communicator who leads reviews and mentors junior engineers.
Nice to have
Experience with
7-function electric/hydraulic manipulators , quick-disconnect tool changers, and torque tools.
CFD
for thruster interaction/hull drag; cavitation assessment.
Design of
LARS/TMS
structures, winches, sheaves, and
fiber-optic/electro-optical umbilicals .
Knowledge of
ROS2/real-time controls packaging , leak detection, and subsea camera/lighting enclosures.
Exposure to
ATEX/IECEx
for topside gear; additive manufacturing for spares and complex geometries.
Why join
Empowered, practical engineering culture; strong prototype/test budgets.
Competitive base + bonus, excellent benefits, and a growth path to
Lead/Principal Engineer
or
Team Leader .
Relocation to
Houston
available for standout candidates.
Location & work setup
Houston, TX
(onsite hybrid).
Eligibility
US work authorization required - No Sponsorship Available
Apply / Refer
Apply now. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We are partnering with a market leader in subsea robotics to hire a
Senior Mechanical Engineer
to drive design and qualification of
work-class and observation-class ROVs, TMS/LARS, manipulators, and subsea tooling . You will architect rugged, serviceable hardware for deepwater environments, balancing hydrodynamics, reliability, and manufacturability under extreme pressure and corrosive conditions. Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end mechanical design for
ROV frames, buoyancy, thruster/propulsor integration, manipulators, tool skids, compensated hydraulic systems, pressure housings, and wet-mate interfaces .
Perform analysis and testing:
structural & fatigue FEA, hydrodynamic drag/lift (CFD), vibration, shock, and thermal ; correlate with tank/flow-loop and sea trials.
Engineer
pressure-balanced/oil-filled
systems, compensators, dynamic/static seals, bearings, and gear trains for deepwater duty (3,000-6,000 m).
Specify materials/coatings for seawater service:
super duplex / Ti / 6Al-4V / 6061-T6 / 7075 / PEEK / acetal , ceramics, and elastomers; design for galvanic isolation and
cathodic protection .
Own product documentation: BoMs, drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), assembly/test procedures, maintenance manuals.
Define and execute qualification test plans:
pressure/vacuum, leak & helium sniff, endurance cycling, IP/ingress, proof/ultimate loads , and
DNV/ABS
compliance.
Qualifications
BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering
(or related).
7-12+ years
designing
ROVs, subsea tooling, manipulators, TMS/LARS, or pressure-balanced subsea equipment .
Expert in
SolidWorks or Inventor ,
ANSYS/Abaqus , and tolerance stack-ups; hands-on prototyping and test.
Deep knowledge of
subsea materials, corrosion/erosion, sealing, hydraulics , and
wet-mate connectors .
Familiarity with
API 17H/17F (ISO 13628), DNV/ABS class rules , and documentation for certification.
Clear communicator who leads reviews and mentors junior engineers.
Nice to have
Experience with
7-function electric/hydraulic manipulators , quick-disconnect tool changers, and torque tools.
CFD
for thruster interaction/hull drag; cavitation assessment.
Design of
LARS/TMS
structures, winches, sheaves, and
fiber-optic/electro-optical umbilicals .
Knowledge of
ROS2/real-time controls packaging , leak detection, and subsea camera/lighting enclosures.
Exposure to
ATEX/IECEx
for topside gear; additive manufacturing for spares and complex geometries.
Why join
Empowered, practical engineering culture; strong prototype/test budgets.
Competitive base + bonus, excellent benefits, and a growth path to
Lead/Principal Engineer
or
Team Leader .
Relocation to
Houston
available for standout candidates.
Location & work setup
Houston, TX
(onsite hybrid).
Eligibility
US work authorization required - No Sponsorship Available
Apply / Refer
Apply now. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion.
#J-18808-Ljbffr