Employment Opportunities - NOAA Ocean Exploration

Shannon replenishes the expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) in the XBT auto-launcher. The XBTs collect temperature data about the water column and, when combined with historical salinity profiles from the World Ocean Atlas, allow the mapping team to generate sound velocity profiles that are applied to the multibeam mapping data. The XBT auto-launcher was designed by the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and enables remote launches of XBTs by personnel on the ship or on shore.

Ready to turn your passion for ocean exploration into a career? Explore current openings with NOAA as well as opportunities with our partner organizations. Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, or experienced scientist, these resources can help you find your next step in ocean science, technology, and exploration.

NOAA Ocean Exploration Employment Opportunities

NOAA Ocean Exploration employs federal employees and contractors across a wide range of fields, including program management, data analysis, biology, maritime archaeology, communications, education, and more.

Federal Positions: Openings are posted on USA Jobs.
Contractor Opportunities: Available through contracts with private companies providing support to NOAA mission areas, including the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and Groundswell. Check their websites for updates and listings.
NOAA Corps and Professional Mariners: Managed through the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).
Expedition Personnel: Managed through our partners via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI).
Internships & Fellowships: Visit our Student Opportunities page for more information.

Current Openings

No federal or contract positions are currently available with NOAA Ocean Exploration. Check back here or visit our partner websites for updates.

NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Careers

Interested in working aboard a NOAA vessel? The NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) manages NOAA’s fleet of research ships and aircraft, as well as the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Visit their website to learn more about available career opportunities with OMAO, such as vacancies for professional mariners or with NOAA Corps.

NOAA Career Resources

NOAA offers diverse career pathways, from federal positions to contracting and funding opportunities. Explore the resources below to learn more about the variety of opportunities to get involved with NOAA.

Partner Organizations

Our partners also offer exciting opportunities for careers in ocean exploration, research, and technology development.

Ocean Job Boards

Find additional listings for ocean science, policy, and technology positions through specialized job boards and career networks.

Questions and Contact

For internship, career, and student opportunities inquiries, contact the Internship Coordinator at oer.internships@noaa.gov. For general questions or more information about NOAA Ocean Exploration, email oceanexplorer@noaa.gov.