Head of Engineering - USV

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

Job summary

Owen Daniels, a fast-growing maritime technology innovator, seeks a Head of Engineering for USV programs in the US. You will own the technical direction, build and lead a multidisciplinary team across mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy disciplines, and act as Design Authority for unmanned surface vessel platforms.

You will represent the technical direction to customers and government stakeholders, drive capability enhancements, and ensure compliance with defense standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Naval Architecture, Systems Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of engineering experience in defense, maritime, aerospace, autonomous systems, or robotics.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and delivering regulated defense programs.

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

Leadership

Systems engineering

Regulated defense programs

Unmanned vessels experience

Education

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

Master's degree preferred

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.