Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - ROVs

Houston
1 week ago
Create job alert

Senior Mechanical Engineer - ROV Systems (Houston, TX)

We're 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'll architect rugged, serviceable hardware for deepwater environments - balancing hydrodynamics, reliability, and manufacturability under extreme pressure and corrosive conditions.

What you'll do

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 (phone number removed) 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.

What you'll bring

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 Avaliable

Apply / Refer

Apply now. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - ROVs

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechatronics Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Why Robotics Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

Robotics used to be the domain of mechanical, electrical and software engineers. In the UK today, robotics is more than motors and control loops — it’s about perception, interaction, trust, regulation and integration into human environments. That evolution means robotics careers are becoming more multidisciplinary. Modern robots interact with people, collect data, operate under constraints, and often assist in safety-critical environments (healthcare, manufacturing, transport). So engineers now collaborate closely with legal, ethical, psychological, linguistic and design experts. In this article, we explore why UK robotics careers are evolving into multidisciplinary roles, how law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design intersect with robotics, and how job-seekers and employers can adapt to this shift.

Robotics Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Robotics Department

Robotics is transforming manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, entertainment and more. In the UK, advances in robotics span autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), robotic arms, surgical robotics, drone systems, human-robot interaction, and collaborative robots (cobots). Building effective robotics systems requires not only strong hardware and software, but also finely coordinated teams with clear roles from research through deployment and maintenance. If you’re a candidate applying for robotics roles or an employer hiring through RoboticsJobs.co.uk, this guide will help you understand who does what in a mature robotics department, how the lifecycle of a robotics product works, what skills and qualifications UK employers typically expect, what salaries look like, common challenges, and best practices for structuring teams that deliver.

Why the UK Could Be the World’s Next Robotics Jobs Hub

Robotics is reshaping industries—manufacturing, health care, agriculture, logistics, and beyond. From industrial robots assembling vehicles to surgical robots assisting complex procedures, and from drone deliveries to autonomous inspection systems, the boundaries of what robots can achieve are expanding daily. With rising demand for automation, productivity, and intelligent systems, organisations both public and private are investing heavily in robotics technologies. This surge in adoption has triggered increased demand for professionals skilled in robotics engineering, AI-enabled control systems, hardware design, and integration. The United Kingdom possesses the essential components to become a global robotics jobs hub: world-class research institutions, innovative robotics firms, strong industrial bases, and supportive policy frameworks. This article explores why the UK is well-positioned, where demand is growing, the career paths emerging, and what must occur to fully establish robotics as a powerhouse in UK employment.