Test and Verification Manager

Test and Verification Manager

Company Overview:

Gulf Copper LLC, a subsidiary of Davie Defense, is a leading Marine Repair and New Construction company based in Galveston, Texas, with more than 75 years of ship repair and fabrication experience on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Copper’s primary business is the repair and refurbishment of marine vessels, ship construction, and fabrication for transportation, government, and oil and gas markets.

Benefits:

• 401k Retirement Plan
• Section 125 Plan (Pre-Tax Health/Dental Insurance Premium Deduction)
• Group Health & Dental Plan
• Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life & Voluntary Life Insurance
• Holiday & Vacation Pay
• Employee Assistance Program

Position Overview and Purpose

The Test and Verification Manager for the Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program is responsible for planning, managing, and executing all test and evaluation activities required to validate the performance, safety, and compliance of Arctic-capable vessels delivered under a government contract. This role ensures aligned, structured, and traceable testing across factory, integration, harbor, and sea-based trials, consistent with program requirements, applicable regulations, classification standards, and the operational needs of Arctic missions.

The Test and Verification Manager work closely with engineering, production, quality, logistics, cybersecurity, and program management teams.

1. Develop and maintain the ASC program’s Integrated Test Plan (ITP) to meet contract, SOW, and regulatory requirements.
2. Develop the ASC requirements verification test matrix (RVTM) to document verification of documented specification requirements.
3. Establish and manage the Master Test Schedule aligned with the integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and milestone-driven shipyard activities.
4. Interpret government specifications, technical requirements, and verification cross- reference matrices (VCM/RTMs) to create compliant test documentation.
5. Prepare and lead readiness reviews for Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Harbor Acceptance Test (HAT), Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT), and final trials.
6. Ensure all test activities comply with Class, Flag, USCG, IMO Polar Code, DHS/USCG mission standards, and applicable MIL-STDs or NAVSEA practices, as applicable.
7. Oversee day-to-day coordination of test events across ship systems including propulsion, power generation, auxiliary systems, HVAC/thermal systems, navigation, communications, sensors, and mission systems.  Liaison with, and coordinate efforts with classification inspectors.
8. Lead test team during extreme-environment readiness checks, cold-weather operation tests, and Arctic-specific system performance verification.
9. Serve as the primary test interface to government stakeholders including\, COR, and program office representatives
10. Ensure personnel and systems meet all safety, training, and authorization requirements before test execution.
11. Develop test procedures, test cards, checklists, agendas, and government-compliant CDRL deliverables.
12. Maintain configuration control over all test documents, ensuring alignment with engineering changes and quality standards.
13. Prepare detailed test reports, deficiency logs, test event summaries, and corrective action packages.
14. Support formal acceptance documentation, including:
    1. Delivery Test Reports (DTR)
    2. Test deficiency resolution.
    3. Final acceptance packages
    4. Certification and regulatory compliance documentation
15. Maintain and track deficiencies in accordance with government approved tools or program-defined systems.
16. Lead root cause analysis efforts and coordinate closely with engineering, quality, and production to drive corrective actions to closure.
17. Identify risk areas related to test execution, schedule impacts, environmental challenges, or technical performance; develop mitigation plans accordingly.
18. Work across engineering, production, C4 integration, quality; supply chain, logistics, and program management to ensure seamless test execution.
19. Participate in design reviews, technical working groups, change boards, and program reviews to ensure test and evaluation alignment.
20. Collaborate with classification societies and regulatory authorities to coordinate inspections and compliance checks.
21. Support sea trials including crew coordination, safety briefings, and readiness for Arctic-specific validations (reliability, endurance, icing, thermal performance).

Required Education & Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Marine Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field; or equivalent relevant experience.
2. 5 years of test management, systems integration, commissioning, or trials experience within maritime, defense, aerospace, or government‑regulated programs.
3. Experience working on U.S. government contracts and familiarity with CDRLs, DIDs, and formal acceptance processes.
4. Strong understanding of shipboard or mission system operations, systems engineering practices, and structured test and evaluation processes.
5. Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate complex test activities, and interface effectively with government customers.
6. Experience with USCG or Navy shipbuilding, defense maritime programs, or Arctic-capable vessels.
7. Knowledge of ABS, USCG, SOLAS, IMO Polar Code, MIL‑STD test requirements, and maritime classification rules.
8. Familiarity with propulsion systems, electrical distribution, mechanical systems, or C4/mission systems.
9. Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance if required.

Working Conditions:

1. Office, shipyard, pier‑side, and onboard vessel environments.
2. Participation in harbor and sea trials may require working outdoors in varied weather, including cold-weather conditions.
3. Must be able to climb ladders, traverse ship compartments, and wear PPE as required.
4. Travel may be required to test sites, vendor facilities, or customer locations.

1. Strong organization and leadership in a milestone-driven environment
2. Ability to coordinate across disciplines and manage multiple priorities.
3. Technical troubleshooting and analytical thinking
4. Detail-oriented documentation and compliance focus.
5. Clear communication with internal and government stakeholders
6. Adaptability for evolving conditions, including Arctic operational testing.

* An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: hrcorp@gulfcopper.com.  If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail: hrcorp@gulfcopper.com.