Defense Operations Specialist

Position Summary

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.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Program & Operational Support
• Aid senior staff in executing product and mission-supporting programs, including research and development activities, testing events, and operational demonstrations.
• Track program progress, document operational observations, and flag schedule or technical concerns to senior personnel.
• Collaborate and share knowledge across operational and engineering teams.
• Apply corrective actions and process improvement steps under guidance from senior operations staff.
• Mission Planning & Coordination
• Coordinate with government customers and mission partners to support communication and information flow under senior oversight.
• Develop mission plans for testing, demonstrations, and operational deployments under the direction of senior staff.
• Incorporate environmental factors, route planning, and contingency procedures into mission design with guidance from senior operators.
• Prepare operational documentation including Concept of Operations (CONOPS) drafts, test plan support materials, and mission briefs.
• Participate in pre-mission planning sessions, mission execution observation, and post-mission debriefs.
• Unmanned Surface Vessel Operations
• Assist in setting up, pre-mission checks, and post-mission breakdown of USV systems under the supervision of senior operators.
• Monitor vessel command-and-control interfaces and telemetry displays during live operations.
• Log navigation status, propulsion system performance, payload sensor outputs, and communications link health.
• Support maritime situational awareness throughout mission execution.
• Recognize and escalate anomalies or unexpected system behavior to senior personnel in a timely manner.
• Real-Time Monitoring & Incident Response
• Monitor vehicle status, system behavior, and operating environment during active missions alongside experienced operators.
• Respond to alerts, anomalies, or unexpected vessel behavior under the direction of senior operators.
• Support execution of contingency procedures to ensure mission continuity and platform safety.
• Document and communicate operational issues to senior operations personnel and engineering staff in a clear and timely manner.
• Testing Execution & Technical Feedback
• Afford operational test plans in accordance with approved procedures and under direct oversight.
• Record operational observations, system performance data, and test results.
• Log events, discrepancies, and technical issues to support validation and engineering debugging processes.
• Provide structured, factual observations from field activities to support engineering feedback and system refinement.
• Organize and maintain test documentation, field logs, and data records for review by senior staff.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Collect and organize mission data from USV operations and test events.
• Help senior analysts interpret performance metrics, sensor outputs, and operational outcomes.
• Produce mission reports documenting findings, lessons learned, and recommendations under supervision.
• Maintain organized records of operational data sets to support engineering assessments and capability evaluations.
• Training and Operational Support
• Aid senior training staff in preparing and delivering operator and end-user training for government and partner personnel.
• Maintain training material libraries including operator manuals, instructional guides, and quick-reference cards.
• Support fielding events, exercises, and operational demonstrations through logistics coordination and setup assistance.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for training events at customer sites and government installations as required.
• Compliance, Safety, & Risk Management
• Adhere to applicable maritime regulations, government policies, and Blue Ops INC operational standards at all times.
• Follow established safety procedures and risk mitigation measures during all operations and training activities.
• Participate in operational risk assessments and mission safety planning under senior supervision.
• Promote and model safe operating practices across all mission activities.
• Cross-Functional Integration
• Coordinate closely with Demo/RDT&E Specialists, Engineering & Autonomy Teams, Payload & Sensor Integrators, Logistics & Field Support Personnel, and actively seek mentorship from senior specialists.
• Engage in knowledge-sharing activities across program and operational teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, maritime operations, defense systems, robotics, or a related technical field; equivalent military or vocational training will be considered.
• 2 years of experience in defense, maritime, unmanned systems, or a related technical field; internship or academic project experience will be considered.
• Basic understanding of maritime operations, vessel systems, or autonomous vehicle concepts; willingness to learn command-and-control software with training provided.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data recording, field documentation, and operational logging.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to read and follow technical documentation, system specifications, and operational procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); exposure to mission planning or telemetry tools is a plus.
• Must be eligible to obtain a security clearance; active clearance preferred.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Academic or hands-on exposure to Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), autonomous vehicles, or maritime robotics.
• Familiarity with maritime operations, navigation, and environmental considerations affecting vessel operations.
• Exposure to defense research, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs through coursework, internship, or prior employment.
• Prior military, maritime, or defense industry experience, including service in a maritime, aviation, or unmanned systems role.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Ability to work in both office and operational environments including shipyards, test ranges, and outdoor maritime settings.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move around operational environments for extended periods of time.
• May occasionally be required to lift or move equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions including heat, humidity, wind, and marine environments.
• Ability to operate computer systems, mission control interfaces, and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or extended hours may be required to support mission operations, testing events, or customer demonstrations.