Engineering Excellence at Sea For half a century APL-UW ocean engineers have demonstrated science and technology expertise that has gained them a national reputation. The Ocean Engineering Department serves as a resource to scientists at APL-UW, the University of Washington, other research organizations, and the U.S. Navy. Department members provide the engineering manpower and know-how to support ambitious basic and applied research programs for the life of projects. Mechanical, electrical, software, and field engineers design, fabricate, and deploy systems in deep and coastal ocean environments, and under polar ice.