Maritime Operations Managers (Autonomous Systems)

Ocean Infinity; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Infinity is expanding its Remote Operations Centre in Southampton and seeks an Operations Manager to oversee live autonomous maritime missions. You will lead USV pilots, coordinate day‑to‑day activity in the ROC, and ensure safe, reliable mission delivery while engaging customers and stakeholders.

You will require strong leadership, maritime qualifications, and the ability to operate with autonomy in a safety‑critical environment. UK security clearance is a prerequisite for the role.

Qualifications

• Experience managing operational teams in a maritime, defence, offshore, aviation or other safety‑critical environment.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience coordinating operational activity and responding effectively to changing priorities.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• An understanding of working within regulated environments and established operating procedures.
• The ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, accountability and self‑reliance.
• A continuous improvement mindset and a focus on delivering operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of USV Pilots, ensuring safe, compliant and effective mission delivery.
• Act as the operational focal point within the Remote Operations Centre (ROC), coordinating day‑to‑day mission activity.
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, providing operational advice and ensuring mission objectives are achieved.
• Manage operational incidents, changing priorities and crisis response activities to maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Develop and improve operational procedures, contingency plans and best practices.
• Monitor operational performance, regulatory compliance and service delivery metrics.
• Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement and operational excellence across the team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Decision making

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Autonomy

Continuous improvement

Safety culture

Education

RYA Yachtmaster (Power) Commercially Endorsed

MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar (SSNR)

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships certification

STCW

Job description

Ocean Infinity is a technology-led maritime company operating at the forefront of autonomy, robotics and remote operations. Through our advanced fleet of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), we deliver complex maritime operations and mission-critical services in some of the most challenging environments around the world.

As we continue to expand our autonomous operations capability, we are looking for Operations Managers to join our Remote Operations Centre (ROC) in Southampton. These are unique opportunities to play a key leadership role in the delivery of real-world autonomous maritime operations, working alongside customers, operational teams and technical specialists to ensure safe, effective and reliable mission delivery.

Our Operations Managers are critical leadership positions within a high-performing operations team. Acting as the focal point for day-to-day operational delivery, you will oversee mission execution, coordinate operational responses, engage directly with customers and stakeholders, and lead a team of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Pilots supporting live maritime operations.

These are hands-on operational leadership roles requiring sound judgement, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to make high-quality decisions in a dynamic environment where safety, mission success and customer satisfaction are paramount.

• Lead and support a team of USV Pilots, ensuring safe, compliant and effective mission delivery.

• Act as the operational focal point within the Remote Operations Centre (ROC), coordinating day-to-day mission activity.

• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, providing operational advice and ensuring mission objectives are achieved.

• Manage operational incidents, changing priorities and crisis response activities to maintain safe and reliable operations.

• Develop and improve operational procedures, contingency plans and best practices.

• Monitor operational performance, regulatory compliance and service delivery metrics.

• Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement and operational excellence across the team.

We're looking for operational leaders who combine strong decision-making skills with a practical, hands‑on approach to delivering complex activities in a dynamic environment.

You will bring:

• Experience managing operational teams in a maritime, defence, offshore, aviation or other safety‑critical environment.

• A recognised maritime qualification, such as RYA Yachtmaster (Power) Commercially Endorsed, MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar (SSNR), Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships certification, STCW, or an equivalent maritime qualification.

• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience coordinating operational activity and responding effectively to changing priorities.

• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving capability.

• An understanding of working within regulated environments and established operating procedures.

• The ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, accountability and self‑reliance.

• A continuous improvement mindset and a focus on delivering operational excellence.

Given the nature of the work, this role requires you to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK national security clearance. You must be willing and able to undergo the necessary security vetting process, and continued employment in the role may be subject to maintaining the required clearance. Security vetting will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and standards set by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV). Further information on UK security clearance levels, eligibility, and the vetting process can be found on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant

Desirable:

• Experience working with autonomous or remotely operated systems.

• Maritime operational, navigation or vessel management experience.

• Experience supporting defence, government or security‑sensitive programmes.

• Relevant maritime qualifications and safety training.

• Knowledge of autonomous maritime regulations and operational frameworks.

Working Arrangements:

These are operational roles supporting live maritime missions and customer requirements. Successful candidates should be comfortable working in a shift‑based environment that may include nights, weekends, public holidays and periods of on‑call support. Operational priorities may occasionally require flexibility in working hours and schedules, sometimes at short notice.