Autonomous Vessel Field Operator for USVs (Equity)

Blue Ops - A Red Cat Company; Florida; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Ops is seeking a hands-on, technically minded Support Vessel Operator to support field testing, validation, and continuous improvement of our Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) in Fort Pierce, Florida. The role blends small-craft operation, maritime testing, and data collection to ensure autonomous vessels perform reliably in real-world conditions.

The ideal candidate has practical USV and small-boat experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently outdoors.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years in a marine environment.
• Hands-on experience operating USVs and small RIBs.
• Ability to operate small vessels safely in real-world conditions.
• Strong technical aptitude for testing and troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and software systems.
• Familiarity with maritime navigation systems (GPS, radar, AIS, cameras).
• Ability to identify issues in the field and coordinate with technical personnel.
• Experience collecting, recording, and interpreting test data with instrumentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication for test reports.

Responsibilities

• Field-based vessel testing at Fort Pierce, FL and designated sites.
• Operate USVs and support craft to deploy, observe, and test autonomous systems.
• Evaluate vessel performance under varying environmental conditions.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, sensor, and software issues during testing.
• Document faults and coordinate corrective actions with engineering teams.
• Collect and analyze field-test data and prepare comprehensive reports.

Skills

USV operation

Boat operation

Troubleshooting

Data collection

Data analysis

Marine sensors

Problem solving

Communication

Tools

GPS

AIS

Radar

Cameras

Job description

Blue Ops is seeking a hands-on, technically minded Support Vessel Operator to support field testing, validation, and continuous improvement of our Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) in Fort Pierce, Florida. The role blends small-craft operation, maritime testing, and data collection to ensure autonomous vessels perform reliably in real-world conditions.

The ideal candidate has practical USV and small-boat experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently outdoors.