Career Guide: AUV Technician

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Here in the fifth post in our series of offshore career guides we look at the role of an AUV technician.

Job Breakdown

An AUV technician is responsible for providing technical support and maintenance of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

AUVs perform a similar fundamental function to that of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in that they can accomplish tasks in underwater environments which humans cannot accomplish safely and efficiently. The major difference between AUVs and ROVs is that, as their names imply, AUVs perform tasks or missions without the need for a human pilot, while ROVs require control from human ROV Pilot Technicians. AUVs are untethered and free-swimming; ROVs have umbilicals physically connecting them to their host vessel or offshore platform.

AUV technicians undertake essential maintenance and ensure that, when on a mission, the AUVs are able to operate as intended, whether it’s collecting marine life data for scientific research, detecting underwater hazards for military operations, or surveying the seabed and ocean environment for commercial purposes.

General duties of an AUV Technician include:
Maintaining AUVs and related systems
Preparing, testing and operating AUV equipment
Participating in the deployment and recovery of AUVs
Assisting in assessment and analysis of collected data
Creating and carrying out technical policies and procedures
Coordinating and communicating with AUV managers
Mission planning
Quality control
Writing daily, weekly and monthly reports on AUV maintenance
Performing specific job tasks set by AUV managers

Working Hours and Environment

As with most offshore careers, working as an AUV technician means working in offshore platforms, vessels and marine laboratories. The hours are long, with day and night shifts. AUV projects can last for weeks to months. Depending on the location, weather conditions can be extreme.

The offshore nature of the work brings constant exposure to humidity, intense light, noise and vibrations, fumes and gases, etc.

Physical labour is to be expected, as AUV technicians handle heavy and sensitive equipment when maintaining AUVs. Special protective gear has to be worn during such tasks, especially in cold environments.

Offshore living is physically and psychologically demanding. In addition to the environmental hazards, space and privacy are limited. Quarters are shared between multiple crew members. Differing personalities and cultural backgrounds need to be respected to minimise stressful situations.

Job Entry and Qualifications

The general requirements to get a job as an AUV technician are numerous and they start with a bachelor’s degree in any of the following subjects:

Computer Engineering
Electronics
Electrical Engineering
Geomatics
Oceanography

Degrees in closely related disciplines and a combination of similar education and work experience will also suffice.

At least a year of experience with AUV operations, including processing hydrographic and oceanographic data as well as familiarity with existing and emerging survey technologies, can increase the chance of employment.

Professionals from an ROV or Survey Engineer background are also well suited to transitioning into work as an AUV Technician.

Since this is primarily an offshore-based job, the following documentation and certification are often required to obtain work as an AUV Technician:

Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) or similar offshore survival certificate
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET)
Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) if working on the UKCS
CA-EBS
Seaman’s Book
ROV or Survey Engineer Competency Certificate
Log Book
Passport
STCW or GWO certificates
Offshore Medical Certificate every 2 years

Companies also look for the following skills and characteristics when hiring AUV technicians:

Proficiency in handling, installing, interfacing and calibrating electrical and mechanical equipment
Initiative and adaptability
Analytical mindset
Practical problem-solving skills
Timely and objective-focused decision-making
Awareness to escalate information to superiors
Solid written and verbal communication skills
Composure under pressure
Willingness to work with a team
Physical fitness and mental acuity to work under stressful conditions

Salary, Training and Development

Day-rates for an AUV Technician in the current market are £400 – £480 per day, depending on experience, project and the client.

Apart from a degree in the courses listed above, there is no formal training or certification that is required to work as an AUV technician. There are, however, companies and organisations that offer training courses on how to operate AUVs, which can be useful but are not necessary for employment prospects:

Kongsberg Maritime provides comprehensive AUV training courses, from an introduction to AUV operation to the use of their own AUV products and solutions.
AMC Search provides courses for Basic Operator and Mission Controller training.
MTCS provides training courses and competence certification for AUV operations
Applied Technology Institute provides a 2-day course on ROV and AUV technologies.

For more resources such as industry news, development programmes and networking opportunities, the following organisations are worth checking out:

Employment Prospects

AUV technicians can find work with the following employers:

Private companies in offshore energy and construction
Local and national government authorities
Environmental agencies
Military organisations
Pipe and cable laying companies
Surveying companies
Search and rescue operations
Organisations involved in archaeological exploration
Academic research institutes

For experienced AUV technicians, contracting is also a viable avenue for a profitable career.

Offshore Opportunities

The energy sector has plenty of offshore job opportunities for AUV technicians.

Oil and gas are still being extracted in the North Sea, so private companies in the region are often on the lookout for contractors. Another dependable area for offshore energy work is the Gulf of Mexico, where US and Mexican firms have staked their claim, and offshore Brazil.

Offshore Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, is now ripe with potential for contracts since the discovery of additional oil in the area late last year. Western Australia is also looking to experience growth with its gas fields, so that can be another place to search for part-time positions.

Away from OIl & Gas, a number of pioneering companies undertake activities such as oceanographic research, search and rescue and salvage across our planets’ oceans. The Mid Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have all been home to fascinating projects in these fields over the past few years and, for the right applicants, can offer long-term, regular work.

Career Trajectory

The direct track for career advancement as an AUV technician is limited. There is the option to work as an AUV mission controller. Instead of simply providing technical support and maintenance, the mission controller is involved with planning missions, supervising operations, and responding to emergencies.

Four or more years of experience as an AUV technician can lead to a promotion as an AUV manager. As the title implies, this is a managerial role with a focus on delegating tasks to crew members and communicating with clients and other managers.

Freelancing is also a lucrative alternative to full-time employment for experienced AUV technicians.

If you have your eyes set on being an AUV technician, head over to our jobs page where you can find on and offshore opportunities in this field.