Science Engagement Lead

Sofar Ocean is a ocean intelligence company that operates the largest privately-owned ocean sensor network in the world, delivering real-time data and analytics to maritime, government, defense, and research customers. Their two core platforms are Spotter, a global network of solar-powered buoys and sensing devices that measure waves, wind, weather, sound, currents, temperature, water quality, and water level, and Wayfinder, a voyage optimization software that helps shipping operators reduce fuel consumption and emissions by recommending optimal routes, speeds, and schedules based on live maritime weather data and vessel performance models. The company generates over 1.5 million real-time ocean observations per day from more than 2,500 deployed Spotters worldwide, providing ground-truth data trusted by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and major commercial shipping fleets. Sofar Ocean's mission is centered on building a comprehensive data layer for the ocean to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship across maritime industries. Their Wayfinder platform delivers an average fuel reduction of 4 to 8 percent per voyage, directly translating into lower greenhouse gas emissions for commercial shipping, one of the world's largest industrial carbon emitters. By combining proprietary sensor infrastructure with advanced weather modeling, Sofar claims forecasts that are 50 percent more accurate than traditional models, enabling better preparation for extreme weather events and protection of maritime assets. What distinguishes Sofar Ocean is its vertically integrated approach: the company owns and operates its own sensor network, runs its own intelligence models, and delivers end-to-end solutions from raw ocean data collection to actionable voyage guidance. This positions them uniquely at the intersection of climate resilience, maritime efficiency, and ocean science, serving a diverse customer base that includes shipping companies, governments, coral reef researchers, and defense agencies seeking live, hyperlocal ocean intelligence at a global scale.

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:

Hybrid work: We're a hands-on team building hardware and software that operates in the real world — so being together matters. We ask that most team members are in office at least 70% of the time, though some roles (like field technicians or hardware engineering) may require more. Fully remote roles are designated as such in the job posting.

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.