Job title: Glider Team Lead
Reports to: Adam Comeau, Glider Operations Manager
Starting salary: $85,000-$95,000
Location: Halifax*, NS (*onsite in Dartmouth)
The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is an international marine and freshwater monitoring platform that focuses on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in the context of a changing global environment. Established in 2008, OTN is one of Major Research Facilities supported by the Major Science Initiatives program of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Glider Team Lead (GTL) ensures that OTN’s glider operations remain safe, innovative, and mission ready. The GTL manages OTN’s physical glider workshop and is responsible for maintaining an organized, efficient, and operationally ready workspace. The GTL oversees OTN’s underwater glider technicians and its growing fleet of underwater gliders (n=11+). The GTL ensures that tools, equipment, and procedures are well‑managed and that all work is conducted to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and professionalism. The GTL helps the team meet deployment schedules, troubleshoot complex challenges, and stay aligned with evolving technologies and best practices in ocean observing.
This position reports directly to the Glider Operations Manager. This in an onsite position currently based out of Dartmouth. Due to the nature of the position, regular travel and evening and weekend work is required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and coordinate autonomous underwater vehicle operations, serving as a senior technical authority for field and shop troubleshoot, decision making, and mission execution.
- Mentor and develop technical staff through onboarding, training, and ongoing guidance, fostering a collaborative team culture and ensuring readiness for current and emerging projects.
- Plan and oversee glider preparation schedules and project roadmaps to ensure missions are delivered safely, efficiently, and on time.Manage and maintain the physical glider workspace and specialized equipment, ensuring compliance with safety standards, operational readiness, and up-to-date documentation.
- Perform advanced maintenance, repair, and testing of gliders and related systems, including data collection, processing, and analysis from deployed instrumentation.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and stay current with emerging ocean technologies to support innovation, outreach, and the advancement of autonomous underwater vehicle applications.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Undergraduate degree in marine biology, oceanography, computer programming, engineering, or related field. Graduate degree preferred.
- Minimum 7 years’ experience working with underwater gliders in progressively senior roles.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience training and mentoring new glider technicians.
- Proven track record overseeing all stages of complex glider missions, including planning and research, study design, mission planning and field operations.
- Expert operational knowledge of aquatic monitoring devices, oceanographic sensors including CTDs, oxygen sensors, hydrophones, echosounders and temperature and data loggers and integrating them onto gliders.
- Expert knowledge maintaining, operating, troubleshooting, and piloting autonomous ocean and underwater vehicles, particularly Slocum gliders.
- Extensive experience working in an at-sea environment in a wide variety of conditions and vessels.
- Detailed understanding of spatial mapping programs, GPS technology, plotting coordinates, and navigation.
- Team leadership skills such as maintaining composure during unexpected operational challenges, interpersonal skills to promote collaborative team culture, ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable work plans for the team and high-level decision making to support team goals.
- The successful candidate must also possess the following:
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- Valid Class 5 driver’s license
- Experience towing a trailer
- Experience operating small vessels
- Able to pass a marine medical
- Able to travel domestically and internationally
- Have or be able to obtain mandatory certifications including, but not limited to: MED-DVS, SVOP, forklift certification, dangerous goods, marine first aid
- Physically fit and able to lift >30 kg
ASSETS:
- Master’s degree in a related field
- Fluent in spoken French
- Experience working in an academic environment
- Experience following procurement policies
TO APPLY:
Interested applications should submit a cover letter and resume via PeopleAdmin by May 8, 2026: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/20867
Please note: Non-probationary bargaining unit employees (PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit. We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.