AUV Supervisor – Senior Engineer

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AUV Supervisor - Senior Engineer

We are looking for AUV Supervisor - Senior engineer at the Department of Marine Technology (https://www.ntnu.edu/imt).

Through new infrastructure projects OceanLab and the planned Norwegian Ocean Technology Centre (https://www.ntnu.edu/norwegian-ocean-technology-centre), we will develop better solutions for future underwater operations to support both marine research and industrial projects. Building on the Applied Underwater Robotics Laboratory (AUR-Lab) (https://www.ntnu.no/aur-lab) we provide a world-class, productive, and inspiring research environment. During the next three years, the infrastructure will be expanded to include a large deepwater and ocean going AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), a long-range vehicle for upper water column and gliders.

In addition to engineering, we frequently participate in interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with researchers in archaeology, geology, and biology. This work involves operating and maintaining a variety of underwater robots—both tethered and untethered—alongside instruments for navigation, mapping, and ocean condition monitoring. Our operations range from technical tests in Trondheimsfjorden to Arctic scientific expeditions.

The Department of Marine Technology hosts AUR-Lab, where you will be part of a collaborative work environment alongside technical staff from other laboratories within the department and crew members aboard the research vessel Gunnerus.

About the position

The Department of Marine Technology is seeking a Senior Engineer for the Applied Underwater Robotics Laboratory (AUR-Lab). Daily work takes place at the AUR-lab base, which is currently located at Trondhjem Biological Station in Trolla, but is likely to move to another sea-side location in Trondheim in the near future. Work onboard the NTNU research vessel “Gunnerus", located in Trondheim is also frequent, as well as at the main location of Department of Marine Technology, which will soon be relocated to Tyholt in Trondheim. 

You should expect some travel and participation in research cruises, though the extent of this will vary from year to year.

You will report to the lab manager.

Duties of the position

As this position is part of the establishment of the Norwegian Ocean Technology Centre and Fjordlab, there will be two main phases of activities: 1) procurement and operation preparations and 2) operations

Phase 1: 

• Management of the Procurement Project for an Ocean-Going AUV
• Development of specifications
• Technical contributions to the procurement and bidding process
• Supplier follow-up
• Acceptance and testing of the system
• Internal and external training for the AUV and relevant instrumentation
• Commissioning of the system and preparation for the operational 

Phase 2:

• Operation and maintenance of equipment such as oceanographic instruments, sonars, and navigation instruments
• Data processing
• Project development, project follow-up, and execution
• Supervision and training of Norwegian and international students in the use of equipment at AUR-Lab
• Participation in technical development work
• Opportunity to conduct and publish independent research related to the lab's activities

Required selection criteria

• Education at BSc/MSc/PhD level in relevant fields (marine technology, mechanical engineering, automation, cybernetics, robotics, electronics, computer science, or equivalent). Extensive relevant experience combined with a trade certificate in these fields may replace the formal higher education requirement.
• Citizenship from a country not excluded under the ITAR agreement (applicants must be citizens of Scandinavian countries, the EU, NATO member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Switzerland).
• Experience with marine fieldwork.
• Experience with AUV operations.
• Proven ability to collaborate and communicate effectively, as well as handle technical systems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or English.

Preferred selection criteria

• Development experience in mechanics, electronics, robotics, or software projects
• Experience in software development and maintenance
• Experience from research projects 
• Good knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

• Service-minded and flexible
• Proactive and independent
• Strong team player with excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks when needed

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment (https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Inclusive+workplace)with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (https://www.spk.no/en/)
• employee benefits (https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Benefits+and+discounts)

Salary and conditions

The gross salary for the position of Senior Engineer code 1181 is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 750 000 - 850 000 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria's in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work..

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above. 

The application must contain: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas

We will ask for minimum two references if you are invited for an interview.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here (https://www.ntnu.edu/positions/documentation-requirements-of-academic-credentials). If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway), please attach this as well

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway's culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation (https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2006-05-19-16/KAPITTEL_3#%C2%A725). You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Martin Ludvigsen, telephone +4791897272, email martin.ludvigsen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marit Gjersvold, e-mail: marit.gjersvold@ntnu.no.  

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.   

Application deadline: 21.04.2025