Boat Operator Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.
Job Summary
You will be one of the first operators working under Saronic's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) umbrella, putting a growing family of autonomous surface vessels through their paces, platforms that carry ISR, electronic warfare, and other mission payloads across extended blue-water and contested littoral waters without a crew on board. That family spans platforms built for long-endurance reconnaissance and persistent maritime domain awareness, as well as low-signature, shore-accessible craft that move critical payloads across thousands of nautical miles of contested seas. As a Mission Operations Operator, you'll translate operational requirements into executable mission plans, lead field operations, and train military personnel to own these platforms long-term. This role sits at the intersection of field operations and product development; your feedback from the water directly shapes how the fleet evolves. The ideal candidate brings deep maritime operational experience, hands-on comfort with autonomous systems, and the ability to communicate clearly in both the field and the briefing room.
Responsibilities
Mission Planning & Execution
• Plan and execute end-to-end MUSV missions across open-ocean, littoral, and ship-to-shore profiles in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments.
• Serve as primary operator during field operations, providing real-time oversight and go/no-go decision authority.
• Operate Saronic's Echelon™ mission planning interface and Advanced Mission Planner (AMP™) to build and execute complex autonomous behaviors: loiter and avoid, counter-boarding, autodocking, and conditional mission logic.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, mission playbooks, and contingency procedures covering remote scuttle protocols, emergency response, and port coordination.
• Train and qualify operators on the MUSV mission planner for global remote control and direct line-of-sight operations, including pre- and post-operation checks.
• Coordinate waterspace deconfliction, safety boat integration, port authority notifications, and range safety compliance for all autonomous vessel operations.
Training & Operator Development
• Develop and deliver MUSV training courses across the full curriculum: MUSV Fundamentals, Operations, Mission Manager (Digital Management), Advanced Operator, and Mission Integration/Readiness Exercises.
• Train and qualify military personnel on MUSV-specific operations, including autonomous navigation in congested waterways, station-keeping, payload operations, and GPS-denied operations.
• Build and run train-the-trainer programs that establish long-term organic military capability with the platform.
Product Development & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as the liaison between Mission Operations and Saronic's Product and Engineering teams, ensuring field realities directly inform design decisions.
• Capture and synthesize operator and warfighter feedback from testing and deployments to refine requirements, roadmaps, and system usability.
• Act as the primary operational interface with government customers including DIU, the service warfighting labs, NIWC-PAC, and DoD program offices.
• Build reporting and visualization tools to communicate mission status, system performance, risks, and forward plans to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent Mission Operations at PDRs, IDRs, and CDRs as a subject-matter expert.
• Plan and conduct site surveys to assess port infrastructure, environmental conditions, and logistics constraints ahead of field operations.
Qualifications
• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (500-Ton Master, Oceans) required.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, maritime studies, or a related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• 5+ years of operational experience in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, or Special Operations, with expertise in littoral and blue-water operations, maritime domain awareness, or ISR/EW mission support.
• Experience operating unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous systems, or remotely operated maritime platforms is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Stand-in Forces (SiF), Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), and distributed maritime operations concepts.
• Proficiency in mission planning software and maritime navigation systems; experience in GPS-denied or communications-degraded environments is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver technical training to military personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to make quick, sound decisions under pressure in dynamic field environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to author SOPs, CONOPs, and mission briefings for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to possess an active clearance or have the ability to obtain one.
• Up to 75% travel required for field trials, demonstrations, and customer engagements.
Physical Demands
• Must be able to swim and tread water; ability to certify as fit for duty is required.
• Regularly lift, push, and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Operate in daylight, low-light, and night conditions using marine navigation systems and visual cues.
• Perform physically demanding work (stooping, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and crawling) for up to 12 hours a day.
• Climb and maintain balance on ladders, platforms, and scaffolding.
• Stand and walk for up to 10 hours a day over varied and uneven terrain.
• Work in marine environments including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray for extended periods.
• Work in hot and humid conditions with adherence to hydration and heat safety practices.
• Detect alarms, verbal instructions, and hazards in high-noise environments.
• Wear and maintain PPE including safety glasses, safety shoes, and hard hat in compliance with site safety requirements.
Benefits
Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office
Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees
If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require "U.S. Person" status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a "U.S. Person": (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.