Job Overview The Director of Shipyard Facilities Operations & Asset Reliability owns infrastructure uptime, asset lifecycle performance, and execution of capital programs across the shipyard. This role ensures that critical production-enabling assets - cranes, lifts, docks, utilities, and facilities - operate reliably while simultaneously delivering capital projects and yard expansions safely, on schedule, and within approved budgets.
This position integrates maintenance discipline with capital execution, preventing infrastructure-driven production outages while building the next generation of shipyard capability. Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, financial rigor, and the ability to balance near-term operational reliability with long-term capacity growth.
ResponsibilitiesAsset Reliability & Facilities Operations- Own reliability and availability of all production-critical assets, including:
- Cranes, hoists, and heavy lift systems
- Shiplifts, docks, transfer systems, and waterfront infrastructure
- Electrical power distribution, water, compressed air, and utilities
- Buildings, foundations, pavements, and fixed facilities
- Establish and enforce a disciplined preventive and predictive maintenance strategy to prevent unplanned outages
- Ensure corrective maintenance is prioritized, executed safely, and escalated appropriately when scope exceeds routine maintenance
- Partner with production leadership to align maintenance windows with operational demand
- Implement reliability metrics and use data to drive decisions
- Ensure new assets are onboarded with defined maintenance plans, documentation, and ownership
- Oversee asset condition assessments, lifecycle planning, and replacement strategies
- Own asset inventory accuracy, labeling, auditing, impairment review, and disposition decisions in coordination with Finance
Capital Programs & Yard Expansion - Own end-to-end execution of capital programs, including:
- Yard expansion and facility build-out
- Major equipment purchases and infrastructure upgrades
- Utility capacity expansions and site development
- Lead annual capital planning and prioritization aligned with production forecasts and long-term strategy
- Ensure projects are scoped, budgeted, approved, and executed in accordance with governance and delegation of authority
- Establish clear project controls for cost, schedule, scope, and risk
- Ensure projects transition cleanly from execution into operations with defined ownership and maintenance plans
- Coordinate closely with civil engineers, designers, contractors, and regulators to deliver compliant facilities
- Interfaces with permitting authorities and ensure capital work complies with environmental, safety, and building requirements
Financial & Program Controls - Own capital and facilities budgets, including forecasting, tracking, and variance management
- Ensure appropriate classification and governance of maintenance, OPEX projects, and CAPEX investments
- Review estimates, commitments, and EACs to prevent cost overruns
- Drive value by balancing repair vs replacement decisions using lifecycle cost analysis
- Ensure timely closeout of projects and accurate capitalization of assets
Cross-Functional Integration - Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, EHS, and Quality to ensure infrastructure supports safe, efficient execution
- Align asset reliability priorities with throughput, schedule, and vessel delivery commitments
- Serve as escalation point when infrastructure risk threatens production continuity
Team Leadership - Lead facilities, maintenance, reliability, and capital project teams
- Set clear expectations for execution discipline, technical rigor, and accountability
- Develop internal capability in maintenance planning, reliability engineering, and project management
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or related technical discipline
- 10+ years experience in heavy industrial, shipyard, manufacturing, or infrastructure-intensive environments
- 5+ years leading facilities, maintenance, reliability, or capital programs
- Demonstrated experience owning uptime of critical industrial assets
- Proven track record delivering capital projects on time and on budget
- Strong understanding of:
- Preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance systems
- Asset lifecycle management and reliability principles
- Capital project controls and financial governance
- Experience interfacing with engineering, finance, contractors, and regulators
- Ability to balance short-term operational risk with long-term capital strategy
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting shipyard, port, or waterfront industrial operations
- Background in reliability engineering or asset management programs
- Experience with large mobile cranes, ship lifts, docks, or heavy industrial utilities
- Familiarity with environmental, building, and infrastructure permitting
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience
- PMP or equivalent project management certification
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
This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require "U.S. Person" status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a "U.S. Person": (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
