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Saronic Technologies is seeking a Mission Operations Manager to serve as the maritime safety expert and Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for its growing fleet of autonomous surface vessels. This role reports to the Senior Director of Mission Operations and bridges shipboard operations with shore-based management across R&D, customer operations, and real-world missions.
Key responsibilities include maintaining the vessel Safety Management System (SMS) under IMO ISM Code standards, developing a Remote Operation Center Safety Management System (ROCSMS) aligned with emerging Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) regulations, and providing independent safety assessments to inform operator go/no-go decisions. You will document the relationship between ship SMS and ROCSMS through the MASS ROC Certificate, ensuring the vessel maintains its established safety level.
The role encompasses comprehensive risk management: conducting risk assessments and job hazard analyses, embedding with teams during tests and live missions, developing safety checklists and emergency-response procedures for coastal, open-water, and forward environments, and advising on safe handling of marine and industrial hazards including fuels, hazardous materials, confined spaces, and work at heights.
Regulatory compliance is central to the position. You will advise operations on IMO conventions (ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, COLREGs), USCG, flag/port state, OSHA, environmental, and DoD requirements. You will work with classification societies (e.g., ABS), the USCG, and regulatory authorities to align safety practices with class, survey, and statutory requirements, translating maritime safety standards into field-ready procedures for autonomous vessels.
Incident response and continuous improvement include coordinating incident and near-miss reporting, conducting investigations and root cause corrective action (RCCA), tracking safety metrics, and feeding lessons learned into procedures and training. You will deliver safety training on operation, mission execution, and emergency procedures, develop training materials, track certification currency, and serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day safety questions.
Administrative responsibilities include maintaining a central register of vessel and personnel certifications, tracking expirations, preparing recurring safety and assurance reporting for leadership and customers, and administering safety-related permits and vendor documentation.
Required qualifications: 12+ years in maritime safety, marine operations, or vessel safety management with significant on-water experience; qualification to serve as DPA under IMO ISM Code with hands-on SMS expertise; strong knowledge of IMO conventions and USCG/flag/port state requirements; expertise in maritime safety, navigation, emergency procedures, and launch/recovery/towing/maintenance hazards; experience running maritime safety programs and supporting complex multi-team operations; strong communication and influencing skills; comfort in a fast-moving startup; strong administrative and records-management skills; willingness to travel up to 50% including rapid deployment; ability to obtain U.S. security clearance.
Preferred: Bachelor's degree in marine/maritime studies, marine engineering, naval architecture, or occupational safety; seagoing background or merchant mariner credential (USCG/STCW deck or engineering officer license); formal ISM Code auditor training or internal SMS audit experience; professional safety certifications.
