Mission Manager - Middle East

About the Role
The company is seeking a Mission Manager to join our Mission Execution team. In this vital position, you will report to the Manager of Mission Control and will be instrumental in the planning, coordination, and execution of on-the-water operations for the company's global unmanned surface vehicle (USV) missions. Your responsibilities will encompass translating customer objectives into actionable mission plans, ensuring fleet readiness, and maintaining real-time operational alignment across internal teams and external stakeholders. We are looking for an operational leader who can bring clarity to complex situations, communicate effectively, and thrive in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.

About the Team
The Mission Management team is responsible for the comprehensive planning and execution of the company's autonomous maritime missions. Our focus lies in ensuring safe, reliable, and scalable USV operations for national security, defense, and commercial applications. Working at the intersection of customers, fleet operations, engineering, and product development, Mission Managers translate mission objectives into detailed operational plans. This role is central to the organization, involving communication of mission objectives and technical information to a diverse range of stakeholders. Candidates can expect to be at the forefront of global autonomous vehicle operations in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.

Responsibilities

• Mission Planning & Feasibility: Plan and coordinate global mission operations to meet schedule and performance targets, serving as the primary lead for mission feasibility assessments in collaboration with Sales and Program Delivery.
• Regulatory & Port Authority: Manage liaison with the Coast Guard, Port Captains, and VTS, including overseeing Reserves and Sanctuaries access permissions and required reporting obligations.
• Technical Customer Interface: Align with customers via the Mission Portal on routing, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and technical troubleshooting by connecting clients with internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
• Fleet Allocation: Collaborate daily with Surveyor, Voyager, and Explorer Fleet Captains to manage drone allocations, deployments, and recoveries based on mission requirements.
• Operational Monitoring: Monitor fleet navigational anomalies, weather risks, and payload status issues, taking immediate action to resolve or mitigate problems through real-time 24/7 tasking of the piloting team.
• Documentation & Training: Follow and refine Mission Control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), contributing to the development of customer training materials and internal documentation to enhance operational scalability.
• System Roadmap Feedback: Provide timely updates on vehicle performance and health issues to Product and R&D teams for quality improvements and execution of new product test plans.
• Operational Continuity: Meet watch and mission commitments by managing timelines and providing status updates to executive stakeholders, ensuring all operations comply with COLREGS and maritime safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime operations, autonomous systems, defense, aerospace, or complex technical operations.
• Familiarity with navigation, COLREGS, and maritime safety practices.
• Background in command-and-control, operations centers, or real-time mission environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical, operational, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, and make decisions in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
• Capability to translate mission requirements into actionable operational plans.
• Enthusiasm for autonomous technology, maritime awareness, and ocean data.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to support missions and customer engagements.
• This role will be based out of the United Arab Emirates.

Benefits
At the company, we are committed to building operational capabilities that matter, which requires dedicated individuals who perform at their best in the long term. We invest in our team's well-being, financial security, and professional growth, enabling you to focus on delivering impactful results with confidence. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual along with a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with significant company contributions for both employees and dependents.
• Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants as a core component of compensation, allowing participation in the long-term value you help create.
• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan, with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options.
• Investment in Your Growth: Annual professional development reimbursement program to support continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Relocation Support: Assistance for eligible roles to help bring top talent to mission-critical locations.

The company is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics outlined by applicable laws.