Deputy Program Manager, Test Range (Maritime Autonomy)

Location: Arlington, VA, United States; onsite. Frequent travel to U.S. Government test ranges, with extended onsite stays during test windows and active-period travel of up to 50–75%.

Salary: $120K–$150K annually, plus equity.

Company

Saronic develops autonomous and intelligent maritime platforms for advanced naval and government operations.

What you will do

• Coordinate end-to-end live-fire, missile, and target test events aboard autonomous surface vessels.
• Manage range scheduling, access requests, UDS documentation, instrumentation, telemetry, spectrum requirements, and schedule re-baselining.
• Develop and shepherd range safety packages, hazard analyses, mission rules, explosives safety requirements, and regulatory approvals.
• Coordinate ordnance transportation, onload, staging, arming and de-arming, vessel movement, launch and recovery, and support craft logistics.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews, rehearsals, go/no-go processes, day-of-test coordination, demobilization, and event close-out.
• Maintain shared schedules, action logs, interface documentation, status reporting, and controlled technical and programmatic information across stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, logistics/operations management, or a related field, or equivalent military/operational experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3–6 years of experience in test range operations, missile/weapons or flight test, range safety, or military test and operations.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Government test range scheduling, safety, and documentation processes.
• Familiarity with ordnance and explosives handling and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder events against fixed schedules and budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing technical teams and Government leadership.
• Ability to travel frequently and work on the waterfront and aboard vessels in outdoor marine environments.
• Ability to work non-standard hours, including mornings, nights, and weekends, and to lift/carry equipment, board vessels, and wear required PPE.

Nice to have

• Experience with Point Mugu Sea Range, NAWCWD, PMRF, Cape Canaveral/SLD 45, Eglin/Gulf Range, White Sands Missile Range, or similar ranges.
• Military experience in surface warfare, aviation ordnance, gunner’s mate, EOD, range operations, or space/missile operations.
• Experience with unmanned/autonomous surface vessels or other maritime platforms.
• Experience with missile/effector integration, launchers, and fire-control interfaces.
• Knowledge of UDS, MRTFB processes, DoD explosives safety standards, and range safety documentation.
• Active Secret clearance or higher; PMP certification or equivalent experience; small-boat operations experience or relevant U.S. Coast Guard credentials.
• For U.S.-based roles involving export-controlled information, U.S. Person status is required.

Culture & Benefits

• Onsite work at Saronic facilities, waterfront locations, and aboard vessels, including marine conditions, heavy equipment, and ordnance environments.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; Saronic pays 100% of employee premiums and 80% of dependent premiums under the stated plans.
• Paid time off, holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Equity options, performance-based bonus opportunities, discounted pet insurance, free lunch, and complimentary office drinks and snacks.
• Reasonable accommodations are considered for physical requirements.