Demo

Unmanned Surface Vessel Operator

MANTECH
Stafford, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/15/2026
MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL OPERATOR to join our team in STAFFORD, VA

The unmanned surface vessel operator will assist the Project Manager with the synchronization of efforts for maritime platforms, mission payloads, autonomy software, command-and-control interfaces, and supporting infrastructure. The role requires close coordination with government stakeholders, program offices, warfighters, engineers, test organizations, and industry partners to translate operational needs into executable technical plans.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

  • Assist in the development of manned and unmanned maritime Science and Technology prototypes.
  • Translate operational needs and warfighter requirements into executable technical and programmatic plans.
  • Update briefs and information papers for senior military and civilian leadership.
  • Interface with USMC stakeholders, government program offices, and senior leadership
  • Oversee system integration, test planning, and execution, including developmental testing, operational assessments, and field experimentation
  • Develop and maintain program documentation including schedules, budgets, technical documentation and other deliverables.
  • Travel 25% of the time.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree is science in technical field or a BA in business, or equivalent experience required and at least 4 years experience in small boat operations.
  • Detail oriented with previous success in managing large inventories of maintenance items for Maritime platforms
  • Strong maritime and small craft background, with at least 5( ) years of experience working with Navy or Marine Corps small boat portfolios. Candidate should have a solid understanding of small craft employment considerations in littoral and offshore environments.
  • Knowledge of DoD research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) process and funding mechanisms.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting unmanned surface vessels (USV), robotics, or autonomous systems development efforts.
  • Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies (e.g., MS Project, Earned Value Management, Agile).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience working in DoD programmatic environments.
  • Experience conducting testing and experimentation on maritime prototypes, to include manned and unmanned watercraft and their associated sensors.
  • Familiarity with Marine Corps and Navy C5ISRT architecture.
  • Experience developing criteria for evaluations, to include Data Collection Assessment Plans (DCAPs), Top Level Requirements (TLRs), and Concepts of Employment (CONEMPS).

Clearance Requirements

  • Must have a current/active Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Physical Requirements

  • This position will require regular field work. Candidates must be able to work outdoors for extended periods of time in environments that may include uneven terrain, varying weather conditions, lifting equipment and tools up to 40lbs

Salary.com Estimation for Unmanned Surface Vessel Operator in Stafford, VA
$82,234 to $105,993
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