Senior Defense Operations Specialist (Autonomous Maritime)

TL;DR

Senior Defense Operations Specialist (Autonomous Maritime): Planning and overseeing autonomous maritime operations and defense programs with an accent on USV deployment and testing. Focus on mission design, real-time monitoring of unmanned surface vessels, and coordinating with government customers.

Location: West Palm Beach, FL. Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (ITAR/EAR requirements).

Company

hirify.global provides autonomous systems and defense solutions for government and maritime operations.

What you will do

• Oversee the operation of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) during testing, training, and deployments.
• Develop detailed mission plans incorporating route planning, risk mitigation, and contingency procedures.
• Coordinate with government customers and mission partners to manage operational expectations.
• Monitor live telemetry and respond to anomalies in real-time to ensure platform safety and mission continuity.
• Collect and analyze mission data to provide structured technical feedback for system refinement.
• Conduct operator and end-user training for government and partner personnel on vessel capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, robotics, maritime operations, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in defense operations, autonomous systems, or maritime environments.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence is required (ITAR/EAR restrictions).
• Demonstrated experience in operational planning, mission execution, and testing of complex systems.
• Ability to travel to testing sites and work in varying outdoor maritime environments.
• Proficiency with command-and-control systems, telemetry monitoring, or related operational software.

Nice to have

• Direct experience with Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Prior military or defense industry operational experience.
• Familiarity with defense research, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs.

Culture & Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity (EEO) and inclusive work environment.
• Role at the intersection of engineering, operations, and government engagement.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge autonomous maritime technology.