Mission Operations Manager, MUSV at Saronic · LumiJobs
senior
H1B: no
Saronic Mission Operations Manager at Saronic oversees safe operation of autonomous vessels and maintains Safety Management System (SMS) under IMO ISM Code. Acts as Designated Person Ashore (DPA) advising on maritime risk and regulatory compliance.
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.
Qualification
12+ years in maritime safetyStrong command of maritime safetyWillingness to travel up to 50%Ability to obtain a UProfessional safety certification (CSP
Required
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
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.
