Training Program Manager

Position Summary

The Training Program Manager is responsible for the design, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of training programs supporting Blue Ops INC’s unmanned maritime systems operations.

This role bridges operational expertise, adult learning principles, and defense program requirements to build workforce readiness across government customers, partner organizations, and internal personnel.

The Training Program Manager ensures that operators, technicians, and mission support staff are fully qualified to safely and effectively employ Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) systems in real-world defense environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Training Program Development & Management

• Design, develop, and implement comprehensive training programs for USV operations, mission planning, and system maintenance in alignment with government and program requirements.
• Establish and maintain a Training Management Plan (TMP) covering curriculum, scheduling, resource requirements, and certification pathways.
• Develop training objectives, learning outcomes, and proficiency standards in coordination with engineering, operations, and government stakeholders.
• Build and maintain a library of training materials including operator manuals, instructional guides, scenario packages, and quick-reference cards.
• Continuously assess and update training content to reflect system software upgrades, capability changes, and lessons learned from field operations.
• Manage training schedules, resource allocation, and logistics coordination to support multi-site and deployed training events.

Instruction & Facilitation

• Deliver classroom, laboratory, and field-based instruction on USV operations, autonomous systems behavior, mission planning, and safety procedures.
• Facilitate scenario-based and simulation-supported training exercises that replicate real-world operational environments.
• Provide hands-on operator qualification training, including command-and-control interface operation, telemetry monitoring, and contingency response.
• Adapt instructional methods and pacing to accommodate personnel with varying technical backgrounds and experience levels.
• Conduct training at customer sites, government installations, and exercise locations as required.

Curriculum Design & Instructional Systems Development (ISD)

• Apply Instructional Systems Design (ISD) methodologies — including ADDIE or equivalent frameworks — to develop and validate training products.
• Develop task analyses, learning hierarchies, and assessment instruments to validate trainee competency and program effectiveness.
• Coordinate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across engineering, autonomy, payload integration, and operations to ensure technical accuracy of training content.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks to measure training effectiveness, competency attainment, and program ROI.
• Author and maintain Training and Evaluation Outlines (T&EOs), lesson plans, student guides, and instructor guides.

Government & Customer Training Support

• Serve as the primary training point of contact for government customers, contracting officers, and mission partners.
• Support development of training requirements embedded in Statements of Work (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWSs), and Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs).
• Coordinate with government training managers and Program Managers to align Blue Ops INC training deliverables with contract requirements and customer objectives.
• Conduct train-the-trainer programs to build and sustain government and partner training capacity.
• Provide post-training reach-back support to trained personnel operating in field or deployed environments.

Testing Evaluation & Reporting

• Assess trainee performance against defined proficiency standards and qualification criteria.
• Track trainee completion, certification status, and currency requirements in a training management system or equivalent record-keeping platform.
• Produce training completion reports, qualification records, and program status summaries for internal leadership and government customers.
• Conduct post-training surveys and after-action reviews to gather feedback and identify program improvement opportunities.
• Report training effectiveness metrics to Senior Management and incorporate findings into program updates.

Mission Planning & Operational Integration

• Integrate training scenarios with actual mission planning processes to ensure training realism and operational relevance.
• Collaborate with mission planners to incorporate training objectives into exercises, demonstrations, and technology operational experimentation events (TOEEs).
• Support development of Concept of Operations (CONOPS) documentation and mission briefs with a training and readiness focus.
• Participate in pre-mission planning, execution oversight, and post-mission debriefs to capture training-relevant observations.

Safety Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all training activities comply with applicable maritime regulations, base access requirements, government policies, and program safety standards.
• Develop and enforce range safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and training safety plans.
• Conduct risk assessments for training exercises and field events; implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Maintain currency with applicable OSHA, Navy/DoD, and FAA regulations relevant to unmanned systems training operations.
• Promote a safety-first culture across all training activities and personnel.

Cross Functional Integration

• Coordinate closely with:
• Defense Operations Specialists & Mission Planners
• Engineering & Autonomy Teams
• Payload & Sensor Integrators
• Logistics & Field Support Personnel
• Government Training Managers & Contracting Officers

Cross-Functional Integration

• Coordinate closely with:
  • Demo/ RDT&E Specialists
  • Engineering & Autonomy Teams
  • Payload & Sensor Integrators
  • Logistics & Field Support Personnel
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and training integration across all program and operational teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position may provide instructional oversight and technical guidance to junior trainers, contractor instructors, or training support personnel. Formal supervisory authority will be determined based on program scope and staffing requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Aerospace/Systems Engineering, Military Science, or a related field, OR equivalent combination of education and relevant military/defense training experience.
• 3–5 years of experience in training program development, instructional design, or operational training in a defense, maritime, or unmanned systems context.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering technical training for complex systems or military operational platforms.
• Familiarity with Instructional Systems Design (ISD) methodologies (ADDIE, SAM, or equivalent).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Active DoD Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 50%) to support training events, exercises, and customer sites.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Prior U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or other maritime service experience with surface warfare, expeditionary, or maritime patrol operations.
• Experience operating or training on Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), UAVs, or other autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with Navy/DoD training management systems (e.g., Navy e-Learning, FLTMPS, ATRRS, or equivalent).
• Master Training Specialist (MTS), Master Instructor, or equivalent qualification.
• Experience developing CDRLs, T&EOs, or government-deliverable training products.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent program management certification.
• Experience supporting TOEE, JCTD, or OT&E programs.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work outdoors in varying maritime environments, including aboard vessels and at waterfront facilities.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. of training equipment and support materials.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work on vessel decks for extended periods during training events.
• Valid driver’s license required; ability to operate government or rental vehicles at training sites.

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.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.