The Defense Operations Specialist is an entry-level position within the Operations department at Blue Ops INC. Working under the direct supervision of a Senior Defense Operations Specialist, this role supports the operation, monitoring, and testing of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) systems.
The Defense Operations Specialist assists with mission execution, data collection, training support, and safety compliance, building the foundational skills required to advance within the defense unmanned maritime systems field.
Program & Operational Support
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Assist senior staff in the execution of product and mission-supporting programs, including research and development activities, testing events, and operational demonstrations.
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Support internal teams in tracking program progress, documenting operational observations, and flagging schedule or technical concerns to senior personnel.
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Contribute to collaboration and knowledge-sharing activities across operational and engineering teams.
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Learn and apply corrective actions and process improvement steps under the guidance of senior operations staff.
Mission Planning & Coordination
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Assist in coordinating with government customers and mission partners to support communication and facilitate information flow under senior oversight.
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Support the development of mission plans for testing, demonstrations, and operational deployments under the direction of senior staff.
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Learn to incorporate environmental factors, route planning, and contingency procedures into mission design with guidance from senior operators.
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Assist in preparing operational documentation including Concept of Operations (CONOPS) drafts, test plan support materials, and mission briefs.
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Participate in pre-mission planning sessions, mission execution observation, and post-mission debriefs.
Unmanned Surface Vessel Operations
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Assist in the setup, pre-mission checks, and post-mission breakdown of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) systems under the supervision of senior operators.
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Monitor vessel command-and-control interfaces and telemetry displays under supervision during live operations.
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Observe and log navigation status, propulsion system performance, payload sensor outputs, and communications link health.
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Support maintenance of maritime situational awareness throughout mission execution.
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Learn to recognize and escalate anomalies or unexpected system behavior to senior personnel in a timely manner.
Real-Time Monitoring & Incident Response
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Monitor vehicle status, system behavior, and operating environment during active missions alongside experienced operators.
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Assist in responding to alerts, anomalies, or unexpected vessel behavior under the direction of senior operators.
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Support execution of contingency procedures to ensure mission continuity and platform safety.
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Document and communicate operational issues to senior operations personnel and engineering staff in a clear and timely manner.
Testing Execution & Technical Feedback
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Assist in the execution of operational test plans in accordance with approved procedures and under direct oversight.
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Accurately record operational observations, system performance data, and test results.
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Log events, discrepancies, and technical issues to support validation and engineering debugging processes.
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Provide structured, factual observations from field activities to support engineering feedback and system refinement.
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Organize and maintain test documentation, field logs, and data records for review by senior staff.
Data Analysis & Reporting
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Assist in collecting and organizing mission data from USV operations and test events.
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Support senior analysts in interpreting performance metrics, sensor outputs, and operational outcomes.
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Help produce mission reports documenting findings, lessons learned, and recommendations under supervision.
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Maintain organized records of operational data sets to support engineering assessments and capability evaluations.
Training and Operational Support
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Assist senior training staff in preparing and delivering operator and end-user training for government and partner personnel.
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Help maintain training material libraries including operator manuals, instructional guides, and quick-reference cards.
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Support fielding events, exercises, and operational demonstrations through logistics coordination and setup assistance.
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Provide administrative and logistical support for training events at customer sites and government installations as required.
Compliance, Safety, & Risk Management
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Adhere to applicable maritime regulations, government policies, and Blue Ops INC operational standards at all times.
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Follow established safety procedures and risk mitigation measures during all operations and training activities.
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Participate in operational risk assessments and mission safety planning under senior supervision.
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Promote and model safe operating practices across all mission activities.
Cross-Functional Integration
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Coordinate closely with:
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Demo/ RDT&E Specialists
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Engineering & Autonomy Teams
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Payload & Sensor Integrators
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Logistics & Field Support Personnel
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Actively seek mentorship from senior specialists and engage in knowledge-sharing activities across program and operational teams.
Supervisory Responsibilities
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This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The Defense Operations Specialist works under the direct supervision of a Senior Defense Operations Specialist or equivalent senior operations personnel.
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Bachelor’s degree in engineering, maritime operations, defense systems, robotics, or a related technical field; equivalent military or vocational training will be considered.
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2 years of experience in defense, maritime, unmanned systems, or a related technical field; internship or academic project experience will be considered.
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Basic understanding of maritime operations, vessel systems, or autonomous vehicle concepts; willingness to learn command-and-control software with training provided.
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Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data recording, field documentation, and operational logging.
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Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
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Ability to read and follow technical documentation, system specifications, and operational procedures.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); exposure to mission planning or telemetry tools is a plus.
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Must be eligible to obtain a security clearance; active clearance preferred.
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Academic or hands-on exposure to Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), autonomous vehicles, or maritime robotics.
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Familiarity with maritime operations, navigation, and environmental considerations affecting vessel operations.
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Exposure to defense research, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs through coursework, internship, or prior employment.
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Prior military, maritime, or defense industry experience, including service in a maritime, aviation, or unmanned systems role.
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Ability to work in both office and operational environments including shipyards, test ranges, and outdoor maritime settings.
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Ability to stand, walk, and move around operational environments for extended periods of time.
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May occasionally be required to lift or move equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
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Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to testing sites, demonstration events, and operational deployments as required.
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Must be able to work in varying environmental conditions including heat, humidity, wind, and marine environments.
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Ability to operate computer systems, mission control interfaces, and standard office equipment for extended periods.
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Occasional evening, weekend, or extended hours may be required to support mission operations, testing events, or customer demonstrations.
Background Check
This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.
EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure
Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.
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