Job Summary
We are hiring a Mission Operations Manager to ensure the continued safe operation of our autonomous vessels as the fleet grows. Across R&D, customer operations, and real-world missions, you will be the maritime safety expert our operators count on. This role reports to the Senior Director of Mission Operations.
As the company's Designated Person Ashore (DPA), you will maintain our vessel Safety Management System (SMS) and advise operators on maritime risk across all on-water activity. The ideal candidate will bring deep maritime expertise and apply that knowledge to the emerging autonomous regulations. You will collaborate closely with Boat Captains, Marine Engineers, Deck Officers, Mission Operations Engineers and Specialists, and Ship Maintenance teams.
Responsibilities:
Maritime Safety Management System (SMS)
• Serve as the company's Designated Person Ashore (DPA), linking shipboard operations and management on all safety and pollution-prevention matters.
• Maintain the vessel Safety Management System (SMS) under the IMO ISM Code, keeping policies and shipboard procedures current across all on-water operations.
• Partner with operations to develop a Remote Operation Center Safety Management System (ROCSMS) that supplements the ship's SMS, per emerging IMO guidance for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
• Document the relationship between the ship's SMS and the ROCSMS through the MASS ROC Certificate, maintaining the ship's established safety level.
• Develop safety standards and acceptance criteria for launch, recovery, towing, support-vessel, maintenance, and flyaway activities.
• Provide independent safety assessments to inform operators' go/no-go and risk decisions, and escalate concerns to leadership.
• Maintain vessel safety documentation and records, and support the captain on drills and emergency readiness to a standard suitable for class, flag, and customer review.
Risk Management & Field Support
• Support operations with risk assessments and job hazard analyses, advising on mitigation and contingency plans.
• Embed with teams during tests and live missions to observe execution and advise on safe practices.
• Develop safety checklists, pre-operation briefs, and emergency-response procedures for coastal, open-water, and forward environments.
• Advise on safe handling of marine and industrial hazards, including fuels, hazardous materials, confined spaces, and work at heights.
Maritime Regulatory Compliance
• Advise operations on compliance with IMO conventions (ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, COLREGs) and applicable USCG, flag/port state, OSHA, environmental, and DoD requirements.
• Work with classification societies (e.g., ABS), the USCG, and flag/port state authorities to align safety practice with class, survey, and statutory requirements.
• Translate maritime safety standards into field-ready procedures for autonomous surface vessels.
Incident Response & Continuous Improvement
• Coordinate incident and near-miss reporting, investigations, and root cause corrective action (RCCA), reporting findings to review boards to prevent repeat issues.
• Track safety metrics and report fleet safety readiness to leadership.
• Feed lessons learned into procedures, training, and engineering to improve safety and reliability.
Training & Support
• Deliver safety training on safe operation, mission execution, and emergency procedures.
• Develop safety training materials and onboarding for operational personnel.
• Track training completion and certification currency, scheduling refreshers before they lapse.
• Serve as the first point of contact for day-to-day safety questions.
• Promote knowledge sharing across autonomy, software, hardware, systems, and maintenance teams.
Assurance & Administration
• Maintain a central register of vessel and personnel certifications and licenses; track expirations and coordinate renewals.
• Track safety findings and corrective actions to closure.
• Prepare recurring safety and assurance reporting for leadership and customers.
• Administer safety-related permits and coordinate insurance and vendor documentation.
Qualifications:
• 12+ years in maritime safety, marine operations, or vessel safety management, including significant on-water experience.
• Qualified to serve as Designated Person Ashore (DPA) under the IMO ISM Code, with hands-on expertise maintaining and auditing a vessel SMS.
• Strong knowledge of IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, COLREGs) and USCG, flag state, and port state requirements.
• Strong command of maritime safety, navigation, and emergency procedures, and of launch/recovery, towing, and maintenance hazards.
• Experience running a maritime safety program and supporting complex, multi-team operations, including incident investigation and root cause corrective action.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to promote safe practices across cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving startup where priorities shift and everyone pitches in.
• Strong administrative and records-management skills, including tracking certifications, licenses, and insurance.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%, including rapid deployment and field assignments.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in marine/maritime studies, marine engineering, naval architecture, occupational safety, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Seagoing background or merchant mariner credential (e.g., USCG/STCW deck or engineering officer license), or service as a company or vessel safety officer.
• Formal ISM Code auditor training or experience as an internal SMS auditor.
• Professional safety certification (CSP, ASP, or equivalent) and OSHA 30-hour general industry training.
• STCW Basic Safety Training and First Aid / CPR / AED.
• Experience with additional safety management frameworks (e.g., ISO 45001) and with classification society processes (ABS or equivalent).
• Experience with DoD system safety as applied to autonomous or unmanned systems.
• Familiarity with autonomous or remotely operated marine vehicles and maritime test operations.
• Prior experience supporting military or government maritime operations; SOF or DoD background a plus.
Physical Demands
• Ability to certify as "fit for work" by demonstrating ability to swim and tread water
• Frequently and repetitively, lift, push and carry up to 75 lbs.
• Will be exposed to marine environments, including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray, often for extended periods
• Must be able to operate in daylight, low-light, and night conditions using marine navigation systems and visual cues
• Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours/day
• The ability to carry 20 lbs. up and down stairsLifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)
Benefits
Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office
