Mission Engineer, Maritime Systems

Position Summary

Apium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is revolutionizing swarm autonomy software for air, surface, undersea, and ground vehicles operating across dual-use commercial and defense environments. Our systems are deployed on real platforms, tested in the field, and delivered to customers operating in complex, uncertain, and safety-critical conditions.

We do not build research prototypes or slideware. Our software is integrated into real vehicles, tested in the field, and delivered to customers who depend on operational reliability, speed of execution, and mission relevance. We prioritize performance over hype.

ASR systems represent the next phase in autonomy: collaborative swarming. These are not like pre-programmed drones for light shows. We are creating real-time cooperative management that lets one operator control dozens to hundreds of vehicles in real-time with the ease of controlling a single vehicle. As such, this role requires comfort with responsibility, ambiguity, and operational accountability.

Mission Engineering is responsible for deploying, operating, maintaining, and supporting autonomous vehicle systems in real-world environments. This role sits at the intersection of business development, engineering, and field deployment, and is critical to ensuring ASR’s systems perform reliably outside the lab.

You will primarily operate and support ASR-equipped unmanned maritime vehicles. As time and company opportunities permit, you will also support aerial, undersea, and ground vehicles in both commercial and defense contexts, often in unfamiliar, austere, or high-tempo environments. You will work with a significant level of autonomy, make decisions, and provide direct feedback to engineering and sales teams based on real operational experience and customer engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Deploy, operate, and maintain USV platforms and supporting systems as the primary domain, with secondary support for UAS, UUV, and UGV platforms as mission opportunities require
• Support mission execution involving autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot autonomy software in real-time operational conditions
• Perform vessel pre-deployment checks, systems integration, waterside launch and recovery operations, and post-mission analysis
• Maintain and repair USV hulls, propulsion systems, payloads, and supporting waterside ground equipment
• Operate systems in open-water, near-shore, and harbor environments, including conditions with limited communications, adverse weather, or minimal support infrastructure
• Ensure all waterside operations are conducted in compliance with COLREGS, applicable USCG regulations, and local port or waterway authority requirements
• Provide detailed operational feedback to engineering teams to improve system performance and reliability
• Support business development engagements, demonstrations, customer evaluations, training events, and deployments
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments
• Represent ASR professionally with customers, partners, and government stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience operating, deploying, or maintaining unmanned surface vehicles (USV), small crewed vessels, or other marine platforms in operational environments
• Working knowledge of COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and U.S. Inland Navigation Rules
• Demonstrated experience operating in open-water, coastal, or harbor environments with awareness of tides, currents, sea state, and maritime hazards
• Strong mechanical, electrical, or systems troubleshooting skills
• VHF marine radio proficiency, including DSC (Digital Selective Calling) emergency procedures
• Comfort working independently with limited oversight
• Ability to remain calm and effective under operational pressure
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, sometimes on short notice

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Military or government experience operating, maintaining, or deploying unmanned surface, subsurface, or small crewed vessels in operational contexts
• Experience with autonomous or semi-autonomous surface or underwater vehicle operations
• Experience supporting defense, maritime, aerospace, or safety-critical commercial operations
• Familiarity with command-and-control systems, mission planning software, or autonomy platforms
• USCG OUPV (“Six-Pack”) license or equivalent small vessel operator credential
• Familiarity with AIS (Automatic Identification System), electronic chart plotting (ECS/ECDIS), and maritime navigation tools
• Experience with maritime safety equipment including PFDs, flares, EPIRBs, and man-overboard (MOB) recovery procedures
• Familiarity with maritime weather interpretation, Notice to Mariners, and sea state assessment for operational planning
• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or willingness to obtain
• Experience working in classified, export-controlled, or government-adjacent environments
• U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to travel, including international travel
• Ability to work irregular hours in support of field operations and deployments
• Ability to lift, transport, and operate heavy field equipment as required

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.

Compensation: Base pay, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.