Engineer for robotics in sea ice physics (m/f/d/x)

Image 1: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 2: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 3: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 4: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Engineer for robotics in sea ice physics (m/f/d/x)

Background

TheSea Ice Physics section of the Alfred Wegener Institute conducts a wide range of field measurements to investigate sea ice and snow processes in both polar regions. In addition to classical in situ observations, measurements using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous platforms (buoys) are a key component of our research activities. Instruments and sensor platforms for sea ice and ocean research are often prototypes and therefore require substantial in-house design, development, configuration and testing.

The infrastructure program “Marine Environmental Robotics and Sensor Technologies for Sustainable Research and Management of Coastal, Ocean and Polar Regions (MUSE)” aims to advance the observational capacities of the Alfred Wegener Institute together with other Helmholtz Centers. The program focuses on synoptic observations of essential ocean variables across spatial scales ranging from local to global. Within this framework, our activities aim to significantly enhance our capabilities to monitor sea ice and upper ocean properties in the Arctic Ocean.

The technological developments carried out in this context will support ongoing polar research and contribute to future research infrastructure, including the planned research vessel Polarstern II, which will replace the current flagship of the German research fleet, RV Polarstern.

You will join a multidisciplinary team working on the further development of under-ice ROV systems and other robotic platforms. A key task will be improving the under-ice positioning and operational capabilities of existing ROV systems. In addition, the integration of different robotic vehicles with control infrastructure, scientific sensors and data handling software will be essential to the project's success.

You are expected to participate in research expeditions lasting several weeks in the polar oceans. During these expeditions, you will operate the developed instrumentation and robotic platforms, and will also contribute to the maintenance and repair of other scientific instruments required for field investigations.

Your Tasks

The primary responsibility will be the development and enhancement of under-ice robotic systems, in particular under-ice ROV platforms. A central focus of the work will be the development of improved positioning capabilities for under-ice vehicles. This includes software development as well as the implementation and integration of established functional modules and new sensors. A second task is to enhance our systems towards resident robotics systems in polar oceans with remote operations from our mission control room in Bremerhaven.

The work requires a combination of electrical engineering tasks and software development, and involves collaboration across different sections of the Alfred Wegener Institute as well as with other Helmholtz Centers. Close cooperation with international project partners and external companies will also form an important part of the position.

Typical tasks include:

Upgrading and/or replacing existing positioning systems based on acoustic positioning systems and Doppler Velocity Logs
Integration of still and video cameras, remote assistance and teleoperation capabilities
Implementation of sensor and software interfaces for interoperability with other systems
Improvement of power management and system reliability
Increasing the interoperability of different ROV and sensor systems
Procurement of components and setup of new system elements
Conducting system tests at the institute and during field deployments

Technical support of measurements during research expeditions represents another major component of the position. This includes the operation and technical support of complex and specialized large-scale scientific equipment used in field investigations. Consequently, the role also involves a wide range of activities related to the maintenance, servicing and troubleshooting of scientific instruments.

A third area of responsibility is general technical support for scientific work within the Sea Ice Physics section and the MUSE program. This includes initiating procurement processes for required materials and contributing to the logistical preparation and follow-up of research expeditions.

Your Profile

Bachelor's degree in maritime technology, measurement technology, engineering, mechatronics, information electronics, or a related discipline
Solid computer and programming skills
Willingness and ability to participate in multi-week research expeditions
Very good German and English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
Strong teamwork skills, combined with a results-oriented and independent working style

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

Experience in subsea measurement technology and/or automated data acquisition, network technology, and data transmission is an advantage
Experience in marine or polar research, as well as operational experience with ROV or other marine robotic systems, is an advantage

Further Information

Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with up to 5 people
Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)

in the following ways

By telephone: frequently (daily or several times a week)
E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): occasionally (several times a month)
Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)

**Movement around the workplace:**regularly within the building (e.g, between departments or floors)
**Business trips:**occasional (several times a year)
Expeditions: occur

Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.

For further information on the specific position, please reach out to Dr Marcel Nicolaus(Marcel.Nicolaus@awi.de; +49 471 4831-2905).

If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Sarah Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-1853).

In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This is a full-time position, limited until December 31 st, 2029. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 11. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.

The AWI is characterized by

Our scientific success - excellent research
Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
Opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
An international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
Flexible working hours
30 days of vacation (for full-time employees) plus additional days off on December 24 th and December 31 st
Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
Occupational pension provision (VBL)

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

We strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the advertised position at AWI to reduce the underrepresentation of women.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our**Family OfficeandInternational Office**will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

We look forward to your application!

Please submit your application online only by April10 th, 2026.** We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.

Reference number:26/30/D/Kli-b

APPLY NOW!

Image 5: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

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