Casey Machado

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I work to design, build, and operate underwater robots which integrate novel approaches and autonomy to create tools for subsea exploration in the deep ocean.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

The ocean is the last unexplored frontier of our planet. It is also an incredibly difficult environment for which to design and operate robots, making work there challenging and rewarding.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

I have operated subsea robots inside underwater volcanos, under ice at the north pole, and at the bottom of challenger deep in the Mariana Trench. There's always something new to discover regardless of where you look.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I was contacted through NOAA OECI.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

I worked for 20 years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as an underwater robotics engineer before starting my own company, Orpheus Ocean, in the summer of 2024.

What are your degrees and certifications?

BS Mechanical Engineering - University of New Hampshire 2006

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy permaculture, sustainability, homesteading, and gardening. I am an avid gamer, both tabletop and video games.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career liek yours?

Get your hands dirty, build things, break things, fix them, and experiment creatively with whatever inspires you. First hand experience, especially in the field will teach you skills you cannot learn else where.