Director of Ship Maintenance, MUSV at Saronic

Austin, Texas, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Defense, MaritimeIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering or Marine Systems
5+ years of experience in maritime repair, shipyard operations, vessel maintenance, or MRO of marine systems
Proven experience negotiating and managing shipyard / repair facility contracts and partnerships
Hands-on technical experience with vessel systems, structural repairs, propulsion, HVAC, electrical systems, etc
Strong project management and scheduling skills (e.g. complex multi-month overhauls)
Experience with classification and regulatory compliance
Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, stakeholder management skills
Ability to travel regularly up to 75% of the time to oversee work at shipyards / repair sites
Must be able to move about on foot to perform essential duties and work in outdoor environments under varied weather conditions (including heat, cold, rain, and wind)
Ability to certify as “fit for work” by demonstrating ability to swim and tread water
Frequently and repetitively, lift, push and carry up to 75 lbs
Will be exposed to marine environments, including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray, often for extended periods
Must be able to operate in daylight, low-light, and night conditions using marine navigation systems and visual cues
Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours/day
The ability to carry 20 lbs. up and down stairs

Responsibilities

Define the vision, scope, and roadmap for Saronic’s MRO program—covering in-service maintenance, periodic overhauls, emergent repairs, upgrades, and modifications for our growing fleet
Build a budget, staffing, and investment plan for the MRO function
Recruit, mentor, and lead a team of MRO engineers, planners, inspectors, and subcontractor oversight staff
Identify, evaluate, qualify, and negotiate with shipyards, repair yards, docking/undocking facilities, retrofit facilities, subcontractors, and specialty vendors to support global MRO capabilities
Develop master service agreements, repair, and performance-based contracts to support MRO
Act as the primary liaison between Saronic and external yards / contractors
Oversee planning, scheduling, and execution of MRO work, both routine and capital (overhauls, refits, modifications)
Ensure work is delivered on time, within budget, to technical and quality standards, and in compliance with classification society / regulatory requirements

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Ship MaintenanceMRO Program ManagementShipyard RelationsVendor NegotiationMaritime RepairContract ManagementProject SchedulingBudget PlanningTeam LeadershipClassification SocietiesDocking OperationsOverhaulsRefitsSubcontractor OversightKPIs Definition

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Director of Ship Maintenance role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering or Marine Systems, plus 5+ years in maritime repair, shipyard operations, or vessel MRO. Key experiences include negotiating shipyard contracts, hands-on work with vessel systems like propulsion and electrical, strong project management, regulatory compliance, and communication skills.

Is travel required for this position?

Yes, the role requires the ability to travel regularly up to 75% of the time to oversee work at shipyards and repair sites.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the role involve in terms of team and program building?

You will define the MRO program vision and roadmap, build budgets and staffing plans, recruit and lead a team of engineers, planners, inspectors, and oversee subcontractors, starting with support for 2-5 ships with plans to scale.

What makes a strong candidate for this Director of Ship Maintenance position?

Ideal candidates have proven maritime repair and shipyard experience, hands-on technical knowledge of vessel systems, and the drive to build a new MRO program from the ground up for a growing fleet.

Saronic

Develops advanced autonomous surface vessels

About Saronic

Saronic Technologies develops Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) that enhance the capabilities of naval and maritime forces. These vessels utilize adaptive path planning, passive sensors, and advanced algorithms, along with edge computing, to effectively identify and track targets. They are designed to operate in challenging environments, using resilient multichannel communications to support both manned and unmanned operations. Saronic Technologies differentiates itself by focusing on military and defense clients, aiming to improve situational awareness, extend operational reach, and enhance survivability during maritime missions. The company's goal is to provide solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing operational strategies or support new maritime tactics, generating revenue through the sale of ASVs and related customization services.

Austin, TexasHeadquarters

2022Year Founded

$223.7MTotal Funding

SERIES_BCompany Stage

DefenseIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Parental Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

Stock Options

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Risks

Increased competition from other defense tech startups threatens Saronic's market share.

Rapid AI advancements may require costly updates to maintain competitive ASV systems.

Geopolitical tensions could hinder international collaborations and foreign government sales.

Differentiation

Saronic integrates AI, hardware, and software into scalable, fully integrated maritime platforms.

Their ASVs feature adaptive path planning and advanced algorithms for effective target tracking.

Saronic's multichannel communications enable seamless manned-unmanned teaming in contested environments.

Upsides

Raised $175M in Series B funding, reaching a $1 billion valuation in 2024.

Growing demand for autonomous vessels in defense and commercial sectors boosts market potential.

AI integration in ASVs enhances decision-making and operational efficiency for maritime missions.

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