Maritime Operations Lead

About the role

At REGENT, the Maritime Operations Lead is the cornerstone of our shore operations and on-water execution strategy. This role owns the end-to-end lifecycle of Seaglider test support, transforming operational concepts into repeatable, safe, and scalable maritime practices. You will architect the training programs and operational frameworks that allow our wing-in-ground-effect vehicles to launch and recover reliably in demanding coastal conditions. The position requires building the internal muscle and discipline necessary to sustain high-frequency testing as we move from prototype to production. You will serve as the definitive authority on operational readiness, integrating seamlessly with engineering and test teams to de-risk each mission. The role demands a builder who establishes procedures that remain robust whether you are present or not. Ultimately, you will ensure that REGENT's Shore Operations function is a catalyst for speed, safety, and reliability in our coastal transit revolution.

What you'll do

Lead Day-of-Test Operations by coordinating Seaglider launches and recoveries, chase boats, crane/lift operations, and on-water safety while making and owning go/no-go decisions. You will integrate in real time with Test Ops, Engineering, and Program Management to enable safe, efficient test execution. When you are not present, you will have trained capable individuals who can lead operationally without degradation of standards.

Own On-Water Safety by designing, maintaining, and drilling the team on emergency action plans and on-water safety procedures. You will build a proactive safety culture that holds regardless of schedule pressure and that the team can execute autonomously. This includes safety drills, tabletop exercises, and continuous refinement of response protocols to protect personnel and assets.

Build and Develop the Team by hiring, onboarding, and developing a Shore Operations team. You will establish the training and certification pipeline across vessel operations, crane/lift, emergency response, and Seaglider-specific procedures. You will set a high performance bar, define clear competencies, and implement structured onboarding and mentorship to ensure consistent execution.

Manage the Maritime Fleet by overseeing the day-to-day readiness of REGENT's support vessel fleet and dock equipment. This includes maintenance schedules, vendor and marina relationships, safety equipment compliance, and test-day logistics. You will ensure the fleet remains mission-ready, properly serviced, and available for test windows, demonstrations, and contingency operations.

Scale Shore Operations by building the processes, documentation, and team depth required to support remote demonstrations and higher-frequency testing programs. You will create scalable standard operating procedures, knowledge transfer materials, and performance metrics that allow operations to expand without being bottlenecked by individual expertise.

Serve as the Operational Authority on test days, integrating in real time with Test Ops, Engineering, and Program Management. You will communicate status, risks, and decisions clearly and promptly, ensuring alignment across functions and enabling adaptive execution in dynamic coastal conditions.

Establish Training and Certification Infrastructure that sustains a world-class operations organization. You will define the skills matrix, track certification status, and maintain records to ensure every role is filled by personnel who are qualified, confident, and audited to standard.

Drive Pre-Test Planning and Readiness Reviews to ensure cross-functional alignment and readiness before every mission. This includes risk assessments, weather planning, equipment checks, and stakeholder sign-off. You will own the readiness gate and escalate gaps until they are resolved.

Command Launches and Recoveries with precision, coordinating vessel positioning, crane operations, and lift planning. You will enforce maritime best practices, regulatory compliance, and internal standards to ensure that every operation is conducted safely and efficiently.

Enable Continuity by ensuring that trained, capable individuals can lead operations in your absence without degradation of safety or performance. You will document playbooks, standardize checklists, and develop leadership pipelines to maintain resilience across the team.

Requirements

Demonstrate Operational Leadership Experience in high-stakes, high-tempo environments such as vehicle test programs or military small craft operations. You must have a track record of leading maritime operations teams where decisions directly impact safety, schedule, and mission success.

Show a Team Building Track Record of hiring, developing, and retaining hands-on technical or operations personnel. You have built training and certification programs, established accountability structures, and maintained a high performance bar across a growing team.

Provide Hands-On Technical Depth with experience operating chase or support vessels around high-value, fragile assets. You have practical background as a rigger, signal person, or crane operator who can lead complex lifts and set the standard for safe execution.

Exhibit Safety Plan Ownership by having designed emergency action plans and built proactive safety cultures on operational teams. You understand incident investigation, near-miss reporting, and continuous improvement methods that strengthen operational resilience.

Prove Cross-Functional Communication skills that translate operational constraints into clear alignment with engineering and program teams. You recognize risks early, provide honest status updates, and facilitate decisions that balance safety, schedule, and objectives.

Hold a Collaborative Team Player mindset that leverages diverse perspectives to move projects forward effectively. You bring people together, build trust, and create an environment where peers and direct reports can perform at their best.

Maintain a strong commitment to building processes that uphold a high performance bar across a growing organization. You are methodical, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving test program.

Display Reliability and judgment in fast-moving environments where decisions have significant consequences. You remain calm under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and model the behaviors you expect from your team.

Practical notes

Location: USA

Engagement: Full-time