Head of Engineering - USV

Owen Daniels; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Owen Daniels, in partnership with a fast-growing maritime technology innovator, seeks a Head of Engineering for Unmanned Surface Vessels to own technical direction across the US operating unit and deliver advanced autonomous platforms.

You will build and lead a multidisciplinary team spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy, acting as Design Authority, coordinating with customers, partners, suppliers, and government stakeholders, and steering system engineering and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Naval Architecture, or Systems Engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in defense, maritime, aerospace, autonomous systems, or robotics.
• Experience leading unmanned maritime programs.
• Ability to obtain US clearance/background checks.
• Proven track record building multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Own technical direction across all engineering for the US operating unit - design, development, testing, and delivery of unmanned surface vessel platforms.
• Act as Design Authority for USV programs and platform variants.
• Build, lead, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy disciplines.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the business as senior technical lead with customers, partners, suppliers, and government stakeholders on unmanned maritime programs.
• Deliver customer-driven capability enhancements for autonomous vessel systems.
• Oversee systems engineering - requirements, verification, validation, and technical reviews.
• Ensure robust configuration management and engineering change control.
• Develop engineering strategy and technology roadmaps for next-generation unmanned platforms.
• Ensure compliance with applicable US defense regulations and standards.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Systems engineering

Autonomous systems

Defense industry experience

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Naval Architecture, or Systems Engineering

Job description

Head of Engineering – Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV)

Owen Daniels is partnered with a fast-growing, privately funded maritime technology innovator building autonomous and unmanned surface vessels for defense and commercial customers.

This is a rare, senior opportunity: acting as Design Authority for an unmanned surface vessel platform, building the engineering team, and shaping the technical direction of an advanced autonomous maritime system.

Job Summary

• Own technical direction across all engineering for the US operating unit - design, development, testing, and delivery of unmanned surface vessel platforms.
• Act as Design Authority for USV programs and platform variants.
• Build, lead, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy disciplines.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the business as senior technical lead with customers, partners, suppliers, and government stakeholders on unmanned maritime programs.
• Deliver customer-driven capability enhancements for autonomous vessel systems.
• Oversee systems engineering - requirements, verification, validation, and technical reviews.
• Ensure robust configuration management and engineering change control.
• Develop engineering strategy and technology roadmaps for next-generation unmanned platforms.
• Ensure compliance with applicable US defense regulations and standards.

Required and Desirable Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Naval Architecture, Systems Engineering, or related (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of engineering experience across defense, maritime, aerospace, autonomous systems, or robotics.
• Prior experience in a technical leadership role with on unmanned maritime vessels
• Proven track record building and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience delivering complex defense or regulated engineering programs.
• Must have the legal right to work in the US and be able to complete applicable background checks.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Short and long-term disability insurance and EAP.
• Strong commitment to professional development.