Operations Specialist, Forward Deployed Engineering

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 highly organized and mission-driven Operations Specialist to support the Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) team. This role combines operational execution with program-level project management. You will be responsible for ensuring that every FDE effort, whether field demo, internal development sprint, or customer deployment, is executed with precision and clarity. You will enable our engineers to focus on high-impact technical work by owning logistics, tracking requirements, and managing project schedules and budgets through cross-functional coordination. You will oversee tactical and strategic responsibilities as a key partner to the FDE Manager, in a chief of staff and project manager capacity. RESPONSIBILITIES - Own and manage project schedules, deliverables, and cross-functional milestones for FDE-led initiatives - Support the definition, documentation, and tracking of technical requirements and system capabilities - Run and coordinate structured design reviews to capture decisions and ensure alignment with engineering and product roadmaps - Track and manage FDE-related budgets, vendor contracts, and spend against plan - Monitor risks, resourcing constraints, and execution dependencies across fielded projects - Maintain accurate documentation of Bill of Materials (BOMs), procurement timelines, and key component delivery schedules - Drive the day-to-day operational rhythm of the FDE team - Drive logistics and coordination for field operations, customer demos, internal tests, and deployments - Ensure centralized visibility into team activities via dashboards and regular reporting on deliverables and resource utilization - Collaborate with engineering, product, legal, and compliance teams to ensure alignment on FDE goals and execution timelines - Serve as a trusted liaison between the FDE team and internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear, timely communication and follow-through - Support scaling the team to an international footprint - Partner with the FDE Manager to ensure strategic initiatives are staffed, scoped, and executed effectively - Identify and improve operational inefficiencies across onboarding, documentation, tooling, and knowledge sharing - Develop and refine process workflows, templates, and coordination mechanisms to scale execution quality and consistency - Coordinate hiring and onboarding efforts for new FDE team members QUALIFICATIONS - 3+ years of experience in operations, project coordination, or engineering program management in robotics, aerospace, defense, or a similar field - Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or a related field - Experience managing schedules, budgets, and component delivery timelines in a hardware and software environment - Proven experience supporting multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced, field-driven contexts - Familiarity with running or supporting design reviews, managing requirements traceability, and coordinating subsystem development efforts - Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Monday, Coda, MS Excel, or equivalent) - Detail-oriented, with a systems-level mindset, and the ability to manage technical documentation and execution workflows - Excellent communicator and able to translate between technical teams, external partners, and operational stakeholders - Self-starter with a strong bias toward ownership and a pragmatic, get-things-done attitude - Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite), MRP systems (e.g., ION), and BOM management tools (e.g., Arena) - Familiarity with U.S. defense contracting, DoD logistics, and proposal/IRAD tracking is preferred BENEFITS - Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services - Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental che