Senior Mission Operator — Autonomous Sea Vessels

Saronic Technologies; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Saronic Technologies seeks a Mission Operations Operator to lead MUSV missions across open-ocean and littoral waters, translating operational requirements into executable mission plans and training military personnel to operate the platforms.

You will bridge field operations and product development, providing actionable feedback to design teams and ensuring field readiness through comprehensive training and SOP development. Up to 75% travel expected; active clearance eligibility preferred.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (500-Ton Master, Oceans) required.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, maritime studies, or related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• 5+ years of operational experience in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, or Special Operations, with expertise in littoral and blue-water operations, maritime domain awareness, or ISR/EW mission support.
• Experience operating unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous systems, or remotely operated maritime platforms is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Stand-in Forces (SiF), Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), and distributed maritime operations concepts.
• Proficiency in mission planning software and maritime navigation systems; experience in GPS-denied or communications-degraded environments is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver technical training to military personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to make quick, sound decisions under pressure in dynamic field environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to author SOPs, CONOPs, and mission briefings for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to possess an active clearance or have the ability to obtain one.
• Up to 75% travel required for field trials, demonstrations, and customer engagements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute end-to-end MUSV missions across open-ocean, littoral, and ship-to-shore profiles in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments.
• Serve as primary operator during field operations, providing real-time oversight and go/no-go decision authority.
• Operate Saronic’s Echelon™ mission planning interface and Advanced Mission Planner (AMP™) to build and execute complex autonomous behaviors: loiter and avoid, counter-boarding, autodocking, and conditional mission logic.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, mission playbooks, and contingency procedures covering remote scuttle protocols, emergency response, and port coordination.
• Train and qualify operators on the MUSV mission planner for global remote control and direct line-of-sight operations, including pre- and post-operation checks.
• Coordinate waterspace deconfliction, safety boat integration, port authority notifications, and range safety compliance for all autonomous vessel operations.

Skills

Maritime operations

USVs operations

Mission planning

Field operations leadership

Military training delivery

Technical training

Clear communication

Decision making under pressure

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or maritime studies

Tools

Echelon mission planning interface

AMP mission planner

Maritime navigation systems

Job description

Saronic Technologies seeks a Mission Operations Operator to lead MUSV missions across open-ocean and littoral waters, translating operational requirements into executable mission plans and training military personnel to operate the platforms.

You will bridge field operations and product development, providing actionable feedback to design teams and ensuring field readiness through comprehensive training and SOP development. Up to 75% travel expected; active clearance eligibility preferred.