---
title: 'Science Engagement Lead at Sofar Ocean'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/science-engagement-lead-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-wnegda8ere7h'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Science Engagement Lead at Sofar Ocean

- **Company:** Sofar Ocean
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-08-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/sofarocean/44dc43f5-498d-48ae-bbf1-cce9e0ffbe58

## Job description

## THE ROLE

We are looking for a science storyteller and brand activator to help the world see the ocean the way we do: alive, dynamic, and central to the planet's future.

This is not a traditional marketing role. You will bridge science and storytelling, creating ideas that resonate globally and spark engagement across YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social platforms.

You will work across both sides of our business. Spotter serves ocean scientists, offshore energy operators, coastal engineers, ports, and government agencies. Wayfinder serves commercial shipping fleets and the maritime industry. You will be comfortable speaking to all of them.

You will develop creative, data-driven content concepts, rally our science and design teams to bring them to life, and lead campaigns that make Sofar's mission tangible. You will identify the events, stages, awards, and partnerships that matter most for global visibility and ensure Sofar shows up with energy, consistency, and purpose.

## WHAT YOU'LL DO

## BRAND STORYTELLING AND CONTENT LEADERSHIP

- Develop original, science-driven content ideas that inspire and educate audiences across both the Spotter and Wayfinder customer bases, from research institutions and coastal agencies to offshore energy, engineering firms, ports, and shipping fleets.
- Translate complex ocean and climate data into engaging narratives for digital and live platforms, including building or directing the data visualizations that carry those narratives.
- Collaborate with Sofar's scientists, engineers, and designers to ensure scientific accuracy and compelling visual storytelling.
- Move fast. Some stories are tied to a storm, a deployment, or a news cycle and need to ship in days, not weeks.
- Use AI tools to accelerate drafting, iteration, and production without sacrificing accuracy or voice.
- Be comfortable serving as an authentic voice or spokesperson for Sofar when appropriate, and just as comfortable behind the camera.

## PARTNERSHIPS AND CO-MARKETING

- Lead partnership development for co-marketing initiatives with scientific and regional organizations.
- Build joint content, campaigns, and moments that extend Sofar's reach through partner audiences.
- Own the relationship management that keeps these partnerships productive over time.

## GLOBAL AWARENESS AND EVENT STRATEGY

- Identify and evaluate high-impact conferences, summits, and global events for Sofar's participation across both scientific and commercial maritime audiences.
- Write and submit speaking proposals.
- Partner with the marketing and design teams to define the messaging and creative direction for event presences, including booth design, storytelling themes, and visual experiences.
- Coordinate with internal teams or vendors to ensure successful event execution.

AWARDS, CAMPAIGNS, AND BRAND MOMENTS

- Research and submit to global innovation, sustainability, and ocean-focused awards.
- Craft compelling submissions that connect Sofar's science to measurable impact.
- Develop integrated campaigns around key moments including launches, award wins, and major environmental observances.

## PERFORMANCE AND LEARNING

- Review performance metrics across channels to understand what resonates and apply insights to future storytelling.
- Partner with Growth and Marketing Ops teams to evaluate awareness KPIs and inform campaign direction.

## ABOUT YOU

- Background in ocean science or maritime industry with strong creative instincts.
- Proven experience developing multimedia content (video, written, or visual) that bridges science and storytelling.
- Able to work on fast turnarounds and use AI tools to generate and iterate on content.
- Comfortable working with data visualization tools to turn scientific insights into visual stories.
- Able to speak credibly to a range of audiences, from ocean scientists to offshore energy operators to shipping fleet managers.
- Comfortable leading production or creating yourself, whether that means writing scripts, shaping campaigns, or hosting content.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to scientific accuracy.
- Strategic thinker with a curiosity for metrics, able to learn and iterate based on audience response.
- Experience working with design and production partners to bring ideas to life.
- Passionate about making ocean science accessible, engaging, and globally relevant to both Spotter and Wayfinder audiences.
- Nice to have: experience working with environmental geospatial data.

## ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE

- $80,000 - $115,000
- The range listed is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may be modified in the future. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, and equity package.

OUR APPROACH TO AI IN THE HIRING PROCESS:

At Sofar, we use AI tools in our day-to-day work, and we don't expect our hiring process to be any different. Here's how we think about it:

Applying: Write your own first draft — we want to hear your voice and understand your real experience. AI is fine for refining and polishing, not for generating your story.

Take-home assessments: Complete these on your own unless we've explicitly said otherwise. We'll always be upfront about it when AI is allowed.

Interview prep: Go for it. Use AI to research Sofar, practice your responses, and sharpen your thinking before we meet.

During interviews: This is you. We're a small team and we move fast — live conversations are how we get to know you, and we're genuinely curious how you think in real time.

A note on transparency: We're a lean People team, and we use AI to help with things like drafting job descriptions, preparing interview questions, and candidate communications. We don't use it to make hiring decisions — those are always ours.

The through line: use AI to show more of yourself, not less :)

## ABOUT WORKING AT SOFAR:

Visa sponsorship: We do sponsor visas and retain an immigration lawyer to support the process. While we can't guarantee sponsorship for every role or situation, if we make you an offer, we'll make every reasonable effort to make it work.

A note on applying: We mean it when we say we want the strongest people — not the most credentialed ones. If you're excited about this work but don't check every box, please apply anyway. Research consistently shows that underrepresented candidates are more likely to self-select out, and that's a loss for everyone. Sofar operates at the intersection of ocean science, climate, and technology — the problems we're solving are consequential, and the perspectives we bring to them matter. We're actively working to build a team that reflects that.

## About Sofar Ocean

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Sofar Ocean is an ocean intelligence platform that connects the world’s oceans to power a more sustainable future by deploying a global sensor network to provide real-time marine weather data and voyage optimization for shipping, research, and defense.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B-III)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Tim Janssen, PhD (Co-Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Marine Technology, Ocean Intelligence, Data Analytics, Maritime Shipping, Climate Tech
- **Target customers**: B2B — shipping companies, commercial operators, charterers, vessel performance managers, governments (NOAA, U.S. Navy), researchers, and defense organizations
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "To connect the world's oceans to power a more sustainable future."

## Products & Services
- **[Wayfinder](https://www.sofarocean.com/)**: Voyage optimization software that recommends the best route, speed, and schedule for each voyage. Built for shipping companies, it combines live maritime weather data, vessel performance models, and commercial constraints to cut fuel use and emissions while keeping schedules on track.
- **[Spotter Platform](https://www.sofarocean.com/)**: A global network of solar-powered sensing platforms that measure waves, weather, and subsurface data in real time. Used by governments, researchers, and defense for live ground truth data from the ocean. Capabilities include surface sensing (waves, wind, weather), subsurface sensing (sound, currents, temperature, water quality, water level), and mobile autonomous operations.
- **Marine Weather**: Real-time storm warnings, seakeeping alerts, and hyperlocal forecasts powered by the company’s own sensor network. Trusted by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and the world's largest shipping fleets.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised of **$73.25M** (Series B-III, last raised ~1 year ago) [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sofar-ocean-technologies)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Peter Rive (Chairman, founding team), NOAA, U.S. Navy, and the world's largest shipping fleets [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/about)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Operates the largest privately-owned ocean sensor network in the world, collecting **1.5 million real-time observations daily** [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean)
  - Marine weather forecasts are **up to 50% more accurate** than traditional models [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean)
  - Over **2,500 Spotters deployed globally** and **25 million+ hours of ocean observations** collected [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/)
  - Trusted by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and the world's largest shipping fleets [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/)
  - **125 total employees** [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Largest privately-owned ocean sensor network in the world** — a proprietary data moat that competitors cannot easily replicate.
- **50% more accurate marine weather forecasts** than traditional models, powered by real-time data from their own Spotter buoys [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean).
- **Proven traction with top-tier customers**: Trusted by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and the world's largest shipping fleets [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/).
- **Hardware + Software + Data flywheel**: The Spotter hardware network feeds proprietary data into Wayfinder software, creating a self-reinforcing competitive advantage.
- **Mission-driven brand**: "If we have to choose between more profit or better oceans, we choose the ocean" — strong alignment with sustainability and climate goals.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling the sensor network**: Continuing to deploy Spotters globally to increase data density and forecast accuracy.
- **Expanding commercial shipping adoption**: Driving fuel savings (4–8% average reduction) and emissions reduction for the maritime industry.
- **Defense & government contracts**: Deepening relationships with NOAA, U.S. Navy, and other government agencies for ocean intelligence.
- **Product development**: Enhancing Wayfinder routing software and Spotter platform capabilities (mobile autonomous, subsurface sensing).
- **Global expansion**: Hiring for roles in APAC/Singapore, indicating international growth.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: "If we have to choose between more profit or better oceans, we choose the ocean" — strong environmental purpose [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers).
- **Hybrid work model**: Most roles are hybrid (combination of remote and on-site), with a beautiful waterfront office in San Francisco that is dog-friendly [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean).
- **Generous benefits**: Flexible PTO (plus 10 office closure days and the last week of December off), 12 weeks parental leave (with an additional 4 weeks for birthing parents), healthcare (medical, dental, vision), 401(K), company equity [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean).
- **Remote support**: One-time home office stipend for remote team members, relocation bonus for those moving to the Bay Area, Green Card & Visa sponsorship for eligible team members [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers).
- **Culture**: Team-driven celebrations, autonomy and ownership, annual onsite week with all remote team members, strong internal community of ocean-lovers, dog-friendly office [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers).
- **Values**: "Oceans First" — if they have to choose between more profit or better oceans, they choose the ocean. "Build for the mission, be pragmatic, and move fast. Ocean health can’t wait." [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers)

## Sources
1. [sofarocean.com](https://www.sofarocean.com/)
2. [sofarocean.com/company/careers](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers)
3. [sofarocean.com/company/about](https://www.sofarocean.com/company/about)
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sofar-ocean)
5. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sofar-ocean-technologies)

## Other roles at Sofar Ocean

- [Senior Software Engineer — Maritime Optimization](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-maritime-optimization-sofar-ocean-united-states-pxsqwf5qsnqv) — United States
- [Senior Software Engineer — Fleet Workflow Integrations](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-fleet-workflow-integrations-sofar-ocean-san-diego-72xvd121nh2h) — San Diego, CA
- [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-zzwa5h3fhd97) — San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-d3rsdc2n3t52) — San Francisco, CA
- [Sourcing Partner, Talent Acquisition](https://feeny.ai/job/sourcing-partner-talent-acquisition-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-h6pea0hp4sbg) — San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Firmware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-firmware-engineer-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-n8jw4vhpx2rj) — San Francisco, CA
- [Defense Customer Success Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/defense-customer-success-lead-sofar-ocean-united-states-r6bayj4ybegk) — United States
- [Staff Scientist - Underwater Acoustics](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-scientist-underwater-acoustics-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-jn3mw90vqnxh) — San Francisco, CA
- [Principal Scientist - Underwater Acoustics](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-scientist-underwater-acoustics-sofar-ocean-san-francisco-rdy81m33sgxx) — San Francisco, CA