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Vessel Agent Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Vessel Agent information

See Washington salary details

$22.5K

$55K

$105.2K

How much do vessel agent jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for vessel agent in Washington is $55,013.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,336.00 and $56,904.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vessel agent?

A Vessel Agent serves as the main point of contact for ships arriving at a port, ensuring smooth operations by coordinating with port authorities, customs, and service providers. They handle documentation, arrange necessary supplies, and facilitate crew changes while ensuring compliance with regulations. Their role is critical in minimizing delays and ensuring efficient port calls for shipping companies.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a vessel agent?

As a Vessel Agent, your daily tasks include coordinating vessel arrivals and departures, arranging required services such as pilotage, towage, and provisioning, and ensuring that all customs and port documentation is completed accurately and on time. You will regularly liaise with shipowners, port authorities, stevedores, and other stakeholders to facilitate fast and efficient cargo operations. The role often requires resolving unexpected issues, such as schedule changes or documentation discrepancies, in a timely manner. This dynamic environment means you'll need to stay organized and be prepared to handle multiple vessels or clients simultaneously.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the vessel agent position, and why are they important?

Vessel Agents need in-depth knowledge of shipping operations, port regulations, and documentation, often supported by a background in maritime logistics or transportation. Familiarity with port management software, cargo tracking systems, and industry certifications (such as IMDG Code training) is common in the field. Excellent organizational skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure smooth vessel turnaround, regulatory compliance, and positive relationships with clients, port authorities, and crew.

What are popular job titles related to Vessel Agent jobs in Washington?

For Vessel Agent jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Vessel Agent jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Vessel Agent job openings:

Infographic showing various Vessel Agent job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,013 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Saronic Technologies

Arlington, VA • On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

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 Overview
We are seeking a Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer in Washington, DC, who will be at the forefront of integrating, deploying, and improving our autonomous systems in real-world environments. You will work hands-on with software, networking, and autonomy, ensuring our autonomous service vessels perform reliably in operational settings. This role blends software development, field deployment, and problem-solving to ensure our technology delivers real mission impact.
You will be deeply engaged in debugging and optimizing autonomy algorithms, refining system performance based on real-world data, and working closely with end-users to adapt our technology to mission needs. Whether troubleshooting networking issues, improving sensor integration, or refining control logic, you will play a critical role in making our systems more capable and reliable.
You will be the link between groundbreaking autonomy technology and real-world success. You will work on the front lines of maritime autonomy, ensuring our systems operate effectively in the environments where they matter most. You will impact mission success and shape the future of autonomous maritime operations.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced software systems for autonomy, networking, and mission execution, with a focus on robust performance in dynamic maritime environments
  • Drive field testing and deployment strategies, overseeing validation of autonomy, perception, and control systems under operational conditions, and proactively identifying systemic issues
  • Own the analysis of mission-critical performance data, translating operational insights into high-impact software improvements that enhance system behavior, reliability, and responsiveness
  • Architect and integrate new autonomy capabilities, ensuring compatibility across software, sensors, and vessel hardware, while maintaining a modular and scalable system design
  • Partner directly with operators, mission planners, and end-users, translating feedback into actionable requirements and guiding the evolution of the autonomy stack to meet mission needs
  • Lead incident response and root cause analysis for complex issues spanning software, hardware, and networking layers, and implement durable solutions that strengthen system resilience
  • Mentor and collaborate with cross-functional teams, aligning autonomy development with broader product and mission goals, and elevating engineering practices across the organization
  • Establish and maintain technical standards, authoring deployment protocols, diagnostic tools, and documentation to support the reliable scaling of autonomy systems in operational fleets

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience developing autonomy or robotics systems, with a strong foundation in software engineering
  • Proficient programming skills in C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages, with experience building and maintaining performance-critical systems
  • Deep technical background in robotics, autonomy, or embedded systems, particularly within maritime, aerospace, or defense sectors
  • Strong understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems, including TCP/IP, UDP, DDS, and message-passing frameworks (e.g., ROS, ZeroMQ)
  • Extensive hands-on experience with perception sensors such as cameras, radar, GPS, and IMUs, with emphasis on integration and real-time sensor fusion
  • Proven ability to debug and resolve complex, cross-disciplinary issues, spanning software, hardware, networking, and autonomy behavior
  • Experience adapting autonomy systems to real-world constraints, including variable environments, limited communications, and platform-specific limitations
  • Willingness and capability to lead field deployments (up to 50%), with a history of testing and refining autonomous systems in operational maritime or expeditionary contexts
  • Expertise in motion planning, control systems, and behavior architectures, including behavior trees and adaptive navigation algorithms
  • Domain knowledge in maritime systems, naval operations, or defense technology, with an understanding of mission-critical operational needs
  • Familiarity with distributed autonomy and multi-agent coordination, including decentralized planning and task-sharing in communication-limited settings
  • Leadership in system integration, testing, and operationalization, collaborating across engineering, product, and field teams to deliver robust, deployable systems

Benefits
  • Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
  • Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
  • Saronic pays 100% of the premium 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
  • 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
  • Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Physical Demands
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Occasional standing and walking within the office
  • Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
  • Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
  • Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
  • Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

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.