Position SummaryThe Technical Manager serves as the technical authority for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Program. This individual will play a critical role as part of TOTE Services' MUSV Program Management Group (PMG) serving within the Vessel Construction Management (VCM) organization. This position reports directly to the MUSV Program Director and is responsible for leading all technical aspects of the program throughout the contract lifecycle, from design maturation through construction, delivery, warranty, and potentially post-delivery lifecycle support.
The Technical Manager provides strategic technical guidance across a multi-shipyard construction program, ensuring configuration control, technical consistency, and effective integration between Sea Machines Robotics, the design authority, shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, and other internal program stakeholders. The position serves as the primary technical interface with Sea Machines, Waterline Design (SMR's design agent), OEM Vendors, and various conversion and new construction shipyards.
Key ResponsibilitiesThe Technical Manager is responsible for ensuring that all technical decisions support program cost, schedule, quality, and mission requirements while maintaining compliance with contract requirements, classification society rules, and applicable regulatory standards. The key responsibilities of this position include:
- Promote the TOTE Services safety culture and adhere to all safety guidelines. Make safety a priority in everything we do and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Serve as the key technical advisor to the MUSV Program Management Group.
- Provide technical direction across all phases of design, construction, testing, delivery, warranty, and lifecycle support.
- Ensure technical risks are identified, evaluated, communicated to leadership and mitigated.
- Lead resolution of complex technical issues affecting schedule, cost, performance, or contractual compliance.
- Own the overall configuration management process across multiple shipyards for the MUSV Program. Serve as the single Point of Contact (POC) with Sea Machines Robotics' chosen design agent for all configuration management activities.
- Verify incorporation of approved Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Technical Change Packages (TCPs), and customer-directed design modifications.
- Serve as the primary interface with Sea Machines Robotics' Design Agent and their oversight of engineering support during vessel construction, reviewing and approving technical change package recommendations, overseeing development and review of Purchase Technical Specifications (PTS) for major equipment, and overseeing development of as-built engineering drawings and updated 3D production models for each vessel.
- Mange warranty administration and monitor warranty claims, corrective actions, and closure. Ensure all contractual warranty obligations are satisfied.
- Support the Customer's Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) activities and provide guidance to SMR personnel responsible for lifecycle logistics. Support configuration documentation required for fleet sustainment.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience supporting the design, construction, conversions, or lifecycle management of commercial or naval vessels.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex shipbuilding programs.
- Extensive knowledge of ship design, engineering change management, and configuration management processes.
- Experience coordinating engineering organizations across multiple shipyards or production sites.
- Experience managing design agents, engineering subcontractors, or classification society interactions.
- Strong understanding of Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), technical documentation, and warranty management.
- Experience working with U.S. Government acquisition programs, preferably NAVSEA or MARAD.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to travel extensively to shipyards.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Systems Engineering, or Business Administration.
- Experience supporting ABS or Bureau Veritas High Speed Classed Aluminum vessels.
- Experience converting ship systems to operate remotely.
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and modern configuration management tools.
Competencies- Effective Verbal and Written Communication
- Strong Attention to Detail
- Strategic Technical Leadership
- Engineering Change Management
- Shipbuilding Production Support
- Technical Risk Management
- Integrated Logistics Support
- Lifecycle Sustainment
- Maintenance Planning
- Warranty Administration
- Continuous Process Improvement
Working Conditions- Office environment with regular travel to shipyards, subcontractor facilities, and program sites.
- May require occasional extended hours to support proposal or negotiation deadlines.
