ROV pilot technician
Take control of underwater vehicles and keep them in working order. You'll guide them to construct, repair and inspect structures under the surface of the sea.
Also known as: maritime rov sub-engineer
About the job
A day in the life – ROV pilot technician
What it's like
ROV pilot technicians play a crucial role in under-sea projects in renewables or oil and gas. You'll use remote controls to operate, maintain and repair submersible machines. You’ll guide them to safely explore the seabed and to construct, repair or inspect underwater structures and equipment from the surface.
ROVs - remotely operated vehicles - can dive to far greater depths than a person.
Your tasks could include:
‘flying’ the ROV through the water to the right location
maintaining, testing and repairing the ROV equipment
inspecting underwater equipment such as oil rigs, pipelines or offshore wind farms
maintaining the structure of offshore wind farms
digging trenches for pipes and cables
picking up objects or moving valves
The ROV has cameras that record its journey and let you see what you're doing as you manoeuvre it. Once the operation is over, you’ll analyse the data and videos to make sure you’ve completed the task effectively.
Green jobÂ
In this job, you could be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.Â
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
UTM Consultants – Career Guide: ROV Pilot Technician
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- observation
- working with technology
- reading
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Computing Science
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Engineering Science
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Practical Electronics
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Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
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Skills for Work: Maritime Skills
University
A degree isn't necessary to become an ROV pilot technician, but having one in an engineering discipline will be useful.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC, HND or SVQ will help you get into a job. Useful subjects include:
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Use the My World of Work course search to find courses.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
An MA in Engineering would be useful for getting into this career.
Other MAs which may be useful include:
Work
Another route into this career is through the armed forces, particularly the Royal Navy or RAF. Consider any roles where you'll get training and experience in areas such as:
navigation
marine engineering
aircraft engineering
Any skills, knowledge and experience in the following ares will be useful:
hydraulics
mechanics
pneumatics
physics
earth science
marine biology
cceanography
meteorology
To work offshore you must:
pass regular medical examinations
complete a variety of training and certifications, such as the basic offshore induction and emergency training (BOSIET)
be at least 18 years old
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