Careers at Makai
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. was established in 1973 as a diversified ocean engineering and naval architecture company providing service primarily in Hawaii and the Pacific. In Makai’s early years, we took a technical lead in a number of innovative projects that helped develop a unique set of skills and expertise. Deep water pipeline design for energy applications, marine vehicles and deep water cable installation software development were some of those projects.
Today Makai’s services have greatly expanded, and we are more global in nature. Our clients are found throughout the world. Makai has developed a broad spectrum of engineering expertise and provides services in research and development, design, construction engineering support, construction management, testing, and systems analysis, cable lay planning, analysis and support and other diverse operations in the marine field. Makai takes pride in providing innovative award winning design solutions to complex ocean engineering challenges. Our personnel have extensive engineering, software development and technical backgrounds and are experienced in working on new and unique projects and in the preparation of comprehensive design documentation, specifications, cost estimates, engineering reports and presentations.
Why work at Makai?
Makai has developed a unique and powerful culture where creativity, intelligence, hard work, and independence are celebrated. These values are tempered with respect, humility, flexibility, and an open, cooperative demeanor. Our engineers truly love working here and they feel as though they are part of a carefully selected team of only the very best engineers.
Makai has about 39 employees, with 32 engineers who hold advanced degrees and experience in mechanical or civil engineering, computer science, physical oceanography, physics, and chemistry. We are seeking engineers who want to be the best at what they do. At Makai you’ll have the opportunity to make significant contributions that advance the state-of-the-art of your profession.
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Open Positions
We are looking for outstanding people for the following positions:
Mechanical Designer / Engineer
Makai is looking for an exceptional undergraduate, or graduate, mechanical designer or mechanical engineer to fill an immediately available position in the Kona Research group. This Makai team has a variety of challenging and exciting projects developing ocean energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. The ideal candidate will have strong design skills and knowledge of fabrication practices; with responsibility for detailed Solidworks modeling and machine design. Employees will get to work on state-of-the-art and challenging engineering problems as part of a collaborative, innovative, and experienced team on a range of projects.
This is a permanent, full-time position in beautiful Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is an in-person work arrangement, with some remote work flexibility dependent on project requirements.
More Info
Requirements:
- Possession of U.S. citizenship is required.
- Possession of an undergraduate, or higher, degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace engineering, or similar technical field is required.
- At least 3 years’ professional experience with Solidworks for mechanical design.
- High level of technical curiosity and strong mechanical design skills to produce unique and robust solutions. Ability to think logically and communicate and present ideas clearly and concisely verbally and during presentations, including for design review processes.
- Practical experience and knowledge of fabrication and assembly processes and production of shop-level drawings.
Desirable:
- Proficiency with computer-aided design and experience with Finite Element Analysis or Computational Fluid Dynamics.
- Knowledge and proficiency of Excel, Matlab or Python.
- Knowledge of fabrication best practices and assembly requirements.
- Procurement phase experience.
Makai provides engineers and scientists with interesting and challenging projects, a competitive salary, full health and dental coverage, company matching retirement plans, excellent comp time and vacation policies, a dynamic and innovative company culture, and a beautiful and unique work atmosphere.
To apply for this position, please email the following to Hermann Kugeler at hermann.kugeler@makai.com:
- Comprehensive Resume including your overall GPA in graduate and undergraduate studies, year(s) of graduation, current location, and U.S. citizenship status.
- Cover Letter highlighting how your education, experience and training relevant to this position and why you want to work for Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
Advance Manufacturing Laboratory Engineer and Technician
Makai’s Ocean Energy Research Group is looking for skilled technicians with strong interest and skills in laboratory or advanced fabrication operations. Makai is seeking applicants for both entry level and senior technician positions.
Candidates should have demonstrated ability working with laboratory equipment and machinery, with preferred experience in the areas of inventory management, material preparations, routine equipment maintenance, and exposure to laser welding, 3D printing, or other relevant precision equipment operation. Candidate shall have an understanding of scientific method and can develop, evaluate and execute test plans to evaluate the efficacy of the custom manufacturing equipment and suggest improvements. They will become a key member working on a team with collaborative engineers supporting the fabrication and operation of prototype systems.
Key attributes are reliability, the ability to follow procedures, and hands-on support of various laboratory experiments. The ideal candidate should have a positive team-oriented attitude, willingness to learn and be involved in a variety of lab-oriented responsibilities, and be energized by working on challenging, cross-disciplinary problems.
This is a permanent, full-time, in-person position in Kona on the Big Island of Hawai`i
More Info
Responsibilities:
- Run and execute real-time control system software;
- Support maintenance and development of laboratory inventory databases and supplies;
- Support development of laboratory procedures and methods.
- Complete fabrication procedures for material preparations, equipment operations, and hands-on assembly.
- Support data analysis including visual and image based inspections.
- Organize laboratory data into excel tables for internal use by team members.
Qualifications:
Minimum applicant requirements include:
- Possession of an undergraduate degree in a STEM related discipline (Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physical Oceanography, or similar) or a GED with 5+ years of directly relevant experience.
- Demonstrated work ethic and willingness and ability to follow safety, health, and manufacturing procedures.
- High degree of intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn new technical skills and flexibility to support innovative projects.
- Either already live in Kona, HI or be willing to relocate to Kona to work in-person at Makai’s offices at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.
- Possession of U.S. citizenship is required.
Additional desirable qualifications include:
- Most of Makai’s work in this program is manufacturing related. Therefore, any shop experience, manufacturing experience, or laboratory experimentation is highly desirable.
- Any experience with data acquisition and related software/hardware interfacing is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience with LabView software is highly desired.
- More experience applicants, with M.S. or Ph.D. degrees, or equivalent experience, are ill highly encouraged to apply. Positions will be commensurate with applicant experience.
- Previous experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Already living or having local connections to the Big Island of Hawaii.
Candidates with many of the above qualifications will be most highly considered.
Makai provides engineers and scientists with interesting and challenging projects, a competitive salary, full health and dental coverage, company matching retirement plans, excellent comp time and vacation policies, a dynamic and innovative company culture, and a beautiful and unique work atmosphere. Watch a video of Makai’s Oahu offices here: https://youtu.be/-pj_LkZEK-4
Makai participates in the Department of Homeland Security “E-Verify” Employment Eligibility Verification system for all new employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
To apply for this position, please email the following two documents to both Hermann Kugeler and Michael Eldred at Hermann.Kugeler@makai.com and Michael.Eldred@makai.com:
- Comprehensive Resume including your overall GPA in graduate and undergraduate studies, year(s) of graduation, current location, all relevant work experience and skills, and U.S. citizenship status.
- Cover Letter highlighting how your education, experience and training relevant to this position and why you want to work for Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
Software and Controls Engineer / Senior Scientist
Makai’s Ocean Energy Research Group is looking for a Physicist, or Electrical or Software Engineer, with strong analytical skills and domain knowledge in data analysis, controls systems, physics, or engineering.
Candidates should have demonstrated ability working with various sensors and data acquisition systems, and implementing real-time software for monitoring and control, and conducting systematic testing for the development of algorithms and software products. Candidate will become a key member working on a team with collaborative engineers developing innovative solutions for both Commercial, Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Energy applications.
The successful candidate will work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary engineering and testing environment with real-time software, and autonomous advanced manufacturing systems. Projects will include the development and testing of data processing and control software of advanced manufacturing and optical systems, as well as defining and implementing procedures for testing machine learning software and algorithms.
The ideal candidate should have an interest in optical system controls and data analysis, demonstrated software, firmware or algorithm experience, and be energized by working on challenging, cross-disciplinary problems.
This is a permanent, full-time, in-person position in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
More Info
Responsibilities:
- Design, modify, debug, and test real-time control system software using C, C++, Python and other programming languages targeting Linux and Windows operating systems, as well as embedded operating systems;
- Interface hardware and software systems with in-house and 3rd party systems;
- Develop and document software APIs and user interfaces;
- Review technical datasheets for sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers and implement drivers for them.
- Utilize data processing software programs and write custom scripts to analyze software and algorithm performance against objectives, identify issues, generate insights, and produce plots and other graphical outputs to communicate findings to stakeholders both internal and external to Makai.
- Support the specification of test plans and conduct systematic testing of software and algorithms.
- Periodically support offsite testing of software in both laboratory and off-shore settings.
- Organize reports and give presentations to communicate results internally to team members and externally to customers.
Qualifications:
Minimum applicant requirements include:
- Possession of a graduate degree (M.S. or higher) in a STEM related discipline (Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physical Oceanography, or similar) with 2+ years of relevant experienced, or possession of a Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in the above and 5+ years of experience.
- Strong proficiency with or ability to learn LabView software.
- Strong proficiency using Python or Matlab and data analysis libraries.
- High degree of intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn new technical skills and flexibility to support innovative projects.
- Organized approach to developing and executing test processes for software programs.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team as well as independently.
- Either already live on the Big Island of Hawai`i or be willing to relocate to Kailua-Kona to work in-person at Makai’s offices at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.
- Possession of U.S. citizenship is required.
Additional desirable qualifications include:
- Most of Makai’s work in this program is manufacturing related. Therefore, any shop experience, manufacturing experience, or laboratory experimentation is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience with optical systems is highly desired.
- Demonstrated experience with LabView software is highly desired.
- Previous experience working in a dynamic, laboratory environment.
- Already living or having local connections to the Big Island of Hawaii.
Candidates with many of the above qualifications will be most highly considered.
Makai provides engineers and scientists with interesting and challenging projects, a competitive salary, full health and dental coverage, company matching retirement plans, excellent comp time and vacation policies, a dynamic and innovative company culture, and a beautiful and unique work atmosphere. Watch a video of Makai’s Oahu offices here: https://youtu.be/-pj_LkZEK-4
Makai participates in the Department of Homeland Security “E-Verify” Employment Eligibility Verification system for all new employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
To apply for this position, please email the following two documents to Hermann Kugeler at Hermann.Kugeler@makai.com:
- Comprehensive Resume including your overall GPA in graduate and undergraduate studies, year(s) of graduation, current location, and U.S. citizenship status.
- Cover Letter highlighting how your education, experience and training relevant to this position and why you want to work for Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
On-Site Office Manager
Makai Ocean Engineering has an on-site office manager / technical support position available who can provide daily support of our executive team and technical support needs. This person must be comfortable wearing multiple hats in a small technical business environment and enjoy diversity in work tasks.
Specific executive assistant tasks may involve editing Microsoft Excel and Word files for business proposals, managing file upload/download with outside clients, management of databases for human resources, administrative meeting support, and general office support tasks.
Specific computer support tasks may involve setting up new laptops for employees, manage computer inventory and disposal of assets, perform computer updates, review security audit logs, perform low-level administration of user and computer accounts.
This is a permanent, full-time, in-person position in Waimanalo, Hawaii.
More Info
Desired skills & experience:
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Willingness and ability to multitask.
- Willingness to work on-site during business hours.
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
- Ability and desire to learn.
- Experience with Windows operating systems.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
Makai offers competitive pay, an excellent comptime policy, IRS Section 125 “Cafeteria” plan, nine annual holidays, full health coverage, IRA with employer contribution, a beautiful, informal and fun work environment. Please see our website for more information.
This position will work closely with the management team, offering great opportunity to learn hands-on business and computing skills.
Interested candidates should send (1) a cover letter explaining how their education and experience relates to this position and (2) resume to Hermann.kuguler@makai.com.
Makai participates in the Department of Homeland Security “E-Verify” Employment Eligibility Verification system for all new employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
To apply for this position, please email the following two documents to Hermann Kugeler at Hermann.Kugeler@makai.com:
- Comprehensive Resume including your education, types of degrees, year(s) of graduation, past experience, relevant skills, current location, and U.S. citizenship status.
- Cover Letter highlighting how your education, experience and training relevant to this position and why you want to work for Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
Benefits of Working at Makai
Makai’s staff of engineers and scientists have a diverse skillset, many of whom are experts in their fields. This allows the business to carry out a wide range of projects; both in and out of the water. From large marine construction, to custom hardware and software research and development, Makai likely has someone on staff with the experience to solve our clients’ problems.
Beautiful Workplace
The Makai Research Pier provides a beutiful place to work.
Innovative Company
Makai provides our employees with engaging projects.
Informal Workplace
Makai’s workplace environment is fun and informal.
9 Annual Holidays
Makai provides its employees with 9 paid holidays annually.
Full Health Coverage
Makai provides its employees with full health coverage.
Competitive Salaries
Makai provides competitive pay, with an excellent comptime policy.
Retirement Matching
Makai provides IRA retirement plans with employer contributions.
Freedom from Traffic
Makai’s location avoids traffic that is common for other locations in Hawaii
Have a project that could leverage Makai’s Expertise?
ReACH OUT!
Contact us by sending in this form any time you need professional support or have any questions. You can also fill in the form to leave your comments or feedback for Makai’s team.