Water Linked is a Norwegian deep-tech company setting a new standard for underwater navigation and imaging. From our headquarters in Trondheim, we develop and manufacture world-leading sensors, including the world’s smallest DVL and our proprietary 3D sonar. These technologies power the next generation of underwater drones (AUVs and ROVs) across offshore energy, defence and advanced robotics. Our solutions enable precise positioning, robust communication and real-time situational awareness, capabilities that are essential to unlocking the autonomous revolution beneath the ocean surface.
Let us describe the challenge
Water Linked’s technology operates in some of the most demanding environments on the planet. As our products evolve and our ambitions grow, the complexity of our underwater hardware solutions continues to increase. We are therefore strengthening our Hardware Expert Group with a Senior R&D Engineer who can take technical ownership of challenging mechanical and physical design problems. This role is key to ensuring that our underwater sensor systems are robust, manufacturable, and ready for real world deployment, while also helping to elevate technical standards, structure, and best practices across hardware development.
What you'll do
In your daily work, you will take a leading role in developing robust and reliable hardware solutions for Water Linked’s underwater sensor systems. You will contribute hands on as a technical expert while also providing structure, direction, and best practices across hardware development projects.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Hardware development: Lead the mechanical and physical design of underwater hardware, from early concept through detailed design, testing, and production handover.
- Technical ownership: Take responsibility for complex design decisions related to enclosures, materials, manufacturability, and performance in demanding underwater environments.
- Simulation and analysis: Use CAD tools and mechanical simulations to validate designs, manage risk, and ensure reliability and durability.
- Manufacturing focus: Drive design for manufacturing and assembly, working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure efficient and high quality production.
- Leadership and mentoring: Act as a technical leader within projects, supporting junior engineers and contributing to shared ways of working and continuous improvement.
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Collaboration: Work closely with electronics, software, signal processing, and operations teams to deliver complete, well integrated products.
Who you are
You are an experienced mechanical engineer with a strong background in underwater or marine product development, and you are comfortable taking ownership of technically challenging problems. You enjoy working in a fast growing, ambitious environment where high standards, curiosity, and collaboration matter.
You bring a structured and methodical approach to your work and value best practices, documentation, and quality in everything you deliver. At the same time, you are pragmatic and solution oriented, able to balance technical depth with real world constraints.
You are someone others naturally turn to for guidance. You communicate clearly, share knowledge openly, and take pride in helping both projects and people succeed. You enjoy learning, improving how things are done, and contributing to a strong and supportive engineering culture.
Must-haves
- Bachelor’s / Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field
- 5+ years of relevant experience with mechanical design and product development
- Proven experience with underwater or marine product development
- Strong CAD experience and hands on mechanical design skills
- Experience with mechanical simulations and analysis
- Solid understanding of design for manufacturing and assembly
- Knowledge of materials and material characterisation for demanding environments
- Experience taking technical leadership and working in a structured, best practice driven way
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Fluency in English, written and spoken
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with acoustic sensor systems
- Experience with enclosure design, thermal management, or acoustic transducer design
- Previous experience mentoring junior engineers or acting as a technical lead
If you do not tick all the boxes above, do not worry. At Water Linked, motivation, collaboration, and a strong problem solving mindset matter just as much as formal qualifications. If this role sounds exciting to you, we encourage you to apply.
Deadline: 15th of March 2026
Why join us?
We offer a competitive compensation package. Beyond that, what makes Water Linked stand out is the opportunity to grow as a specialist, take meaningful ownership, and contribute to technology that operates in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
At Water Linked, you will develop deep expertise in your discipline while working closely with other specialists. We are organized into expert groups so you can refine your craft, challenge yourself technically, and continuously learn from colleagues who are just as passionate about their field as you are.
At the same time, we believe the best innovation happens when deep knowledge is combined with broad understanding. Through our Water Linked Academy, you will have the opportunity to expand your perspective, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and build a well rounded skill set.
You will not just be part of our journey, you will influence it. With stock options, you are invited to take ownership in the company’s future and share in the value we create together.
Your primary workplace will be our modern offices at Nyhavna in Trondheim, featuring strong lab facilities and easy access by car, bus, or bicycle.
Mayday, you say?
If you have any questions, big or small, about the role, please get in touch with the hiring manager directly and they would be delighted to help.
Sarah Irving, R&D Manager
Email: sarah.irving@waterlinked.com
Who are we?
Read more about us
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