Mission Operations Manager – Autonomous Vessels

About the role

We are seeking a Mission Operations Manager to lead maritime safety for our growing fleet of autonomous vessels. Reporting to the Senior Director of Mission Operations, you will act as the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and ensure safe, compliant operations across research, customer missions, and real‑world deployments.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s Designated Person Ashore, linking shipboard operations with management on safety and pollution‑prevention matters.
• Maintain and update the vessel Safety Management System (SMS) under the IMO ISM Code.
• Develop a Remote Operation Center SMS (ROCSMS) that complements the ship’s SMS in line with emerging IMO guidance for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
• Document the relationship between ship SMS and ROCSMS through the MASS ROC Certificate.
• Create safety standards and acceptance criteria for launch, recovery, towing, support‑vessel, maintenance, and fly‑away activities.
• Provide independent safety assessments to support go/no‑go decisions and escalate risks to leadership.
• Support captains with drills, emergency readiness, and safety documentation for class, flag, and customer review.
• Conduct risk assessments, job hazard analyses, and develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Embed with test and mission teams 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.
• Ensure compliance with IMO conventions (ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, COLREGs) and applicable USCG, flag/port state, OSHA, environmental, and DoD requirements.
• Coordinate with classification societies, USCG, and flag/port state authorities to align safety practices.

Required profile

• Extensive maritime safety expertise with hands‑on experience in vessel operations.
• Deep knowledge of IMO regulations, especially the ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, and COLREGs.
• Proven ability to lead safety programs for autonomous or remotely operated vessels.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with captains, engineers, and mission specialists.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, hazard analyses, and emergency response planning.
• Familiarity with regulatory bodies such as USCG, classification societies, and flag state authorities.

Required skills

• IMO ISM Code implementation
• SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, COLREGs compliance
• Risk assessment and job hazard analysis methodologies
• Safety Management System (SMS) development
• Interaction with USCG and classification societies