Marine Operations Director

Caudal Energy; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Caudal Energy is a UK-based tidal energy startup seeking an experienced Marine Operations Director to own the manufacture, delivery and deployment of generators. You will design the supporting platform, maintenance strategy and lead the delivery team, with budget ownership and board/investor interaction.

Ideal candidates will have a strong marine operations background, experience with tidal environments, and a track record in managing contracts and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in engineering, naval architecture or related field.
• Experience with marine operations and tidal vessels.
• Understanding of maritime regulations, HSE and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage contracts and supplier networks.

Responsibilities

• Deploy generators across prototypes, demonstrators and arrays with marine operators.
• Design and operate the operations & maintenance of generators.
• Develop and run the supply chain for sourcing and assembly.
• Deliver platform design, barge and mooring with consultants.
• Influence engineering for manufacturability and operability.
• Build and lead the delivery team; own risks and safety in operations.
• Participate in senior leadership and investor interactions.

Skills

Marine operations

Tidal vessel experience

Contracts & suppliers

Engineering knowledge

Maritime regulations

Risk & ambiguity management

Education

Engineering degree (relevant)

Job description

About Us

Caudal Energy is proving that tidal energy can deliver 20% of the UK's energy. We're developing technology inspired by whale biomechanics and optimised for medium‑flow, shallow‑water sites. We're a spin out of Oxford University, have raised two successful funding rounds from leading venture capital investors and are now testing our prototype in the Irish Sea. We're looking for an experienced operator to join the founders and engineering team who knows how to run projects at sea - understands tides, marine operations, moorings, and can deliver.

About the Role

As the Marine Operations Director you will own the successful manufacture, delivery and deployment of our generators. You will be in charge of the design of the supporting platform and the maintenance strategy. You will work closely with our design team and build you delivery team. You will be part of the successful building of the business into a leading technology developer - to put tidal on the map, in the same way as wind turbines or solar panels. You will be expected to own your decisions, your budget and attend where appropriate board meetings or investment pitches. This is a great opportunity to deliver affordable, clean energy and create jobs in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Successful deployment of generators: as prototypes, as demonstrators and as arrays, working with specialist marine operators.
• Design and operation of the Operations and Maintenance of the generators.
• Develop and run our supply chain - where to source, where to assemble.
• Deliver our platform design, working with consultants to determine the barge design and mooring.
• Influence the engineering team to ensure design for manufacture and operation.
• Build your delivery team.
• Own the risks, safety and systems within operations.
• Be part of the senior team running Caudal Energy, working with customers, stakeholders and investors.

Skills

• Strong understanding of marine operations
• Experience of vessels in tidal environments
• Experience of managing contracts and suppliers
• Engineering knowledge gained through experience, degree in relevant subject (engineering, naval architecture)
• Knowledge of the relevant maritime regulations, HSE, and associated stakeholders
• Ability to work with business risk and ambiguity, inherent in start ups

About you

• Able to work with business risk and ambiguity, inherent in start ups
• Able to work away from home on deployment and to travel to company office when required
• A motivator of teams
• Organised, confident and good at communicating
• Passion to grow an impactful company

• Competitive package for start up executive - mix of base plus options