Head of Field Operations - Marine Autonomous Systems
Destinus
About the Role
Imagine this — You're standing on the deck of a cutting-edge autonomous vessel as it glides silently through the open sea, the sun rising over a horizon that only a few get to claim as their office. You´ll lead all customer-facing operational activities for Marine Autonomous Systems—including surface, underwater and submersible platforms. Own deployment planning, sea trials, operator training, in‑theatre support, maintenance and mission‑data feedback to ensure fleet readiness and customer success.
At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.
What You´ll Do
- Deployment & Sea Trials – plan and execute harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and sea acceptance tests (SAT), first‑of‑class trials and operational hand‑over.
- Customer Readiness – develop and deliver training curricula, CONOPS materials, technical publications and simulator updates.
- Mission Support – run 24/7 support desk, spare‑parts pipeline, field‑service engineer scheduling and emergency repair teams.
- Performance Analytics – capture mission logs, failure data and usage metrics; feed Voice‑of‑Fleet insights back to Product, Engineering and Manufacturing.
- Safety & Compliance – enforce naval safety regulations, range‑test procedures and export‑control requirements (ITAR/EAR).
- Stakeholder Liaison – act as senior Destinus representative aboard ships, test ranges and naval bases; brief flag‑officers and local regulators.
What You´ll Need
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Naval Engineering, Marine Systems, or equivalent.
- 8+ years in naval combat‑system, USV/UGV or under‑sea warfare operations; ≥3 years leading multi‑disciplinary field teams.
- Hands‑on experience with sea trials, mission planning, fleet sustainment and logistics support.
- Strong understanding of maritime mission planning, NATO STANAGs, MIL‑STD‑882, hydrodynamics and propulsion subsystems.
- Ability to manage cross‑cultural field crews in austere conditions and brief senior military audiences.
- Fluent English; additional NATO language is an asset.
Who You Are
You’re the kind of person who feels most alive when the stakes are high and the environment is unpredictable. Whether you’re standing on the deck of a naval vessel or coordinating a remote deployment halfway across the world, you bring clarity, control, and confidence. You live for the challenge of making complex operations feel seamless—from sea trials to live missions. You think like a strategist but act like a field operator. You lead with grit, adapt fast, and speak the language of both engineers and admirals. You know how to train a team, keep a fleet mission-ready, and deliver on the promise of performance when it matters most. You don’t just support operations—you own them.
Why Join Us?
✨ The Thrill of the Future – Work on cutting-edge projects that redefine aerospace.
✨ Global Innovation Hub – Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
✨ Fast-Paced & High-Growth – Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
✨ Real Impact – Your work won’t be theoretical—it will shape the future of flight.
Destinus is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.
🚀 Destinus – Challenge the limits of time, space, and human potential.
Security screening is an integral component of the selection process, ensuring that candidates meet the organization's security standards and safeguarding against potential risks.