Marine Fleet Coordinator (Palmer Station, Antarctica)

Leidos Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Reston, Virginia, seeks a Marine Fleet Coordinator for the Antarctic Support Contract. You will supervise a fleet of fifteen small boats, oversee maritime safety, training, and operations at Palmer, McMurdo and South Pole stations.

This role requires US citizenship, deployment to Antarctica for six months, and a USCG Captain's license. The position includes physical requirements, security clearance, and a salary range of $107,900–$195,050 per year.

Qualifications

• USCG Captain's OUVP license required.
• Minimum six (6+) years as vessel Captain or senior engineering/systems design role.
• Two (2+) years of the six+ years in maintaining small vessel systems and hulls.
• Experience in commercial marine operations (merchant marine, fisheries, or boatyards).
• Experience with coastal navigation, electronic navigation, and dead reckoning.
• Experience training others in small vessel operation.
• Demonstrated leadership in vessel scheduling, maintenance, and operation.
• Ability to mentor and provide advanced training to station staff and scientists.
• Comprehensive knowledge of small vessel operation, trailering, troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Proven ability to repair and troubleshoot engines and machinery (outboards, diesel, inflatables).
• Strong problem-solving and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; able to handle challenging situations across stakeholders.
• Willingness to lift heavy items and perform outdoor work in extreme cold.
• Participation in community programs at the station.

Responsibilities

• Advise Station Management on marine concerns.
• Mentor and train Station Staff in marine operations.
• Operate and maintain a fleet of about fifteen small boats.
• Launch/recover boats via trailer.
• Maintain engines, hydraulics, inflatables, and spare parts inventory.
• Design and implement marine safety training for station personnel.
• Lead the Ocean Search and Rescue (OSAR) team; conduct drills.
• Maintain vessel logs, fuel usage, and maintenance records.
• Prepare Pal mer Station boating operation docs (JHAs, SOPs).
• Manage extensive spares inventory to support the scientific program.
• May TDY off-ice to plan and support small boat fleet.
• Conduct safety inspections of equipment.
• Participate in station community programs.
• Heavy lifting and outdoor work required.

Skills

USCG OUVP license

Vessel Captain

Small vessel maintenance

Maritime operations

Education

Maritime credentials

Tools

ECDIS

Job description

Description

Leidos is in search of a talented Marine Fleet Coordinator to join the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) team. The Marine Fleet Coordinator acts as the most senior professional mariner on Station, and as such, advises Station Management on all aspects of Marine Operations. Duties include overseeing and assisting in the operation and maintenance of a fleet of fifteen active small boats, plus a number of reserve vessels and overseeing and executing all aspects of maritime training and safety for Station residents. A primary candidate is selected for this position, as well as alternates.

*** Deployment to Antarctica is required in this role. Deployment length is expected to be for 6 months, starting in Fall of 2026. The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. ***

Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required. Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date.

About the Antarctic Support Contract

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF's Office of Polar Program's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements:

• Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness.
• Mission:To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines. The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission.

To learn more about the Leidos Antarctic Support contract,

Primary Responsibilities

• Advise Station Management regarding various marine oriented concerns.
• Capability and willingness to mentor and provide advanced training to Station Staff.
• Operates and maintains a fleet of an average of fifteen active small boats, including inflatable boats and outboard motors.
• Operates vehicles and equipment to launch and recover the small boats via trailer.
• Maintenance areas include, but are not limited to: inboard diesel, hydraulics, outboard motors, inflatable boats, and rigid hull inflatables, including proper inventory and tracking of spare parts.
• Designs and implements training and oversite for station personnel in marine safety. This may include: basic seamanship, dead reckoning and electronic navigation, radio protocol, small boat handling, creating a float plan, rough weather operations, sea ice operations, vessel safety, cold water survival, deployment of oceanographic systems, trailering vessels, procedures for conducting operations in remote settings, and other topics as needed.
• Leads the Ocean Search and Rescue (OSAR) team. Conducts and documents monthly drills and training.
• Maintains records of daily operations including vessel logs, situation reports, fuel usage, equipment maintenance, vessel launch/recovery, and turnover reports.
• Prepares and maintains documentation for Palmer Station boating operations, including JHA's and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintains stock and records of extensive spares inventory in order fully support the scientific program.
• Recommends to Marine Technical Services Manager or designee equipment and supply needs or problems.
• May involve off-ice TDY to provide planning and expertise regarding the small boat fleet.
• Performs timely inspections of safety, lifesaving, firefighting and other emergency equipment.
• Responsible for the safety and cleanliness of various shop areas.
• Must participate in community programs, such as "house-mouse" (chores), "daisy-picking" (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & community meetings.
• This position requires heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity both indoors and outdoors.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• USCG Captain's OUVP license
• Minimum six (6+) years of experience acting as a vessel Captain, or in senior engineering/systems design role.
• Two (2+) of the six (6+) years' experience must be in maintaining small vessel systems and hulls, or equivalent.
• Experience in commercial marine operations such as merchant marine, fisheries, or boatyards
• Demonstrated experience with coastal navigation, electronic navigation, and dead reckoning
• Experience training others in small vessel operation
• Demonstrated leadership skills in vessel scheduling, maintenance, and operation
• Ability to mentor and provide advanced training to station staff, and scientists
• Comprehensive knowledge of small vessel operation, trailering, troubleshooting and maintenance
• Proven ability to repair and troubleshoot engines and/or machinery including 4-stroke outboards, diesel, and inflatables
• High level independent problem-solving and multi-tasking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be able to facilitate challenging situations and communicate effectively across various stakeholders
• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.
• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.
• Must participate in community programs, such as "house-mouse" (chores), "daisy-picking" (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• USCG 25-ton (or higher) Captain's license
• Experience working on vessels with customers and/or students
• Prior research vessel support experience
• Experience working at Palmer Station Boathouse
• Knowledge of Palmer Station Basin
• Emergency Medical Technician, offshore or field medic training
• College level coursework in marine or a science-related field
• High-latitude experience is a plus
• Experience transporting, handling, deploying and retrieving oceanographic sampling equipment
• Must Possess a Valid Driver's License issued in the United States

*Please be advised that during the interview, you will be required to keep your camera on, and your interviewer will be taking your picture for identification purposes if an offer letter is extended to you.

*This position is eligible for deployment to Antarctica. Per contract and National Science Foundation requirements, candidates must not have been disciplined for, or separated from an employer prior to discipline for, incidents of stalking, sexual assault, or sexual harassment within the past three (3) years. Eligibility for deployment is also subject to further review, including background investigation and security screening, and NSF retains final authority over deployment eligibility given the sensitive and remote nature of the location.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: July 9, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.