Shipyard Technical Manager

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

As the Shipyard Technical Manager at Saronic-Franklin, you will lead the technical execution and operational integration of Production and Engineering activities across the shipyard. This role is responsible for ensuring vessel construction activities are technically sound, production-ready, efficiently executed, and aligned with quality, schedule, and safety objectives.

The Shipyard Technical Manager will oversee the production engineering team, which supports scheduling, planning, production flow analysis and improvement, industrial engineering activities, and provides expertise across all labor trades in the shipyard. The Shipyard Technical Manager will also oversee the Manufacturing Engineering team, which supports workstation tooling, processes, and improvements, operates the machine shop, and recommends product design improvements. Finally, the Shipyard Technical Manager will work directly with the Design Engineering and Build Engineering leadership to ensure cross-functional agreement on product design improvements. This position plays a critical role in enabling scalable and repeatable vessel construction operations within a fast-paced maritime manufacturing environment.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Team Leadership: Manage, train, and motivate a team of production and manufacturing engineering personnel, including hiring, performance evaluations, and professional development.

2. Engineering Oversight: Ensure production and manufacturing engineering deliverables support efficient vessel construction, including work packages, installation planning, technical issue resolution, and production readiness.

3. Production and Manufacturing Engineering Management: Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives related to production flow, scheduling, planning, build sequencing, and technical operations performance. Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, workflow layouts, and resource utilization to improve workstation efficiency, reduce waste, and support scalable shipyard operations.

4. Build Engineering Coordination: Coordinate with build engineering leadership to ensure effective execution of activities related to structural assembly, vessel systems integration, outfitting coordination, and product design improvements to ensure technical alignment across departments.

5. Quality Assurance: Ensure engineering and manufacturing activities comply with company standards, shipyard procedures, regulatory requirements, and applicable maritime industry specifications.

6. 8. Safety Compliance: Work with the EHS team to enforce workplace safety protocols and ensure engineering-driven production activities are executed in accordance with Saronic EHS guidelines and company policies.

7. Reporting and Operational Metrics: Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production efficiency, engineering throughput, build execution, schedule performance, labor utilization, downtime for repair (DFR), and technical issue resolution.

Shipyard Technical Managers at Saronic-Franklin are expected to have the knowledge, skill, and ability to accomplish the below:

Technical Knowledge

1. Strong understanding of shipyard production operations, vessel construction sequencing, manufacturing processes, and marine production systems.

2. Ability to lead cross-functional engineering and production teams in a fast-paced shipbuilding environment.

3. Experience interpreting engineering drawings, production work packages, technical specifications, and vessel integration requirements.

4. Ability to analyze and make key operational decisions related to production workflows, staffing, manufacturing methods, tooling, and engineering priorities.

5. Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, engineering teams, production personnel, suppliers, and shipyard stakeholders.

6. Strong technical aptitude, organizational skills, and attention to detail.

7. Maintain proper administrative records, technical documentation, and operational reporting.

Job Proficiency

1. Ensure Production Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering teams are accomplishing tasks, roles, and responsibilities as outlined in applicable job descriptions and operational objectives.

2. Provide independent judgement to leadership regarding team performance, staffing needs, organizational structure, and operational improvements using established policies, procedures, and practices.

3. Resolve and document technical production issues impacting vessel construction, manufacturing operations, quality, or schedule performance.

4. Manage overall technical resource utilization to meet or exceed production and operational efficiency goals.

5. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on manufacturing efficiency, production scalability, technical execution, and operational excellence.

6. Provide periodic operational documentation, technical status updates, engineering issue reporting, and shift turnover communication for compliance and continuous improvement purposes.

7. Collaborate with product design team, project management team, and build engineering team to ensure product design is in line with scaled production goals. This includes participating in conflict resolution re: design vs production issues

1. Facilitating as-built updates to drawings

2. Deriving, tracking, and implementing lessons learned in design-for-production

3. Facilitating design-for-production improvements

Culture and Collaboration

1. Follow all shipyard safety policies, including proper use of PPE, fire prevention, and confined space protocols.

2. Assist in the training and development of all engineers and engineering management on site.

3. Collaborate and communicate effectively with all shipyard departments to ensure seamless vessel production integration.

4. Work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced maritime manufacturing environment.

5. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.

6. Maintain a positive attitude toward customers and represent Saronic professionally.

7. Make a personal commitment and be accountable for EHS results, driving toward the achievement of defined operational goals.

8. Maintain a supportive and productive work atmosphere through professional conduct and effective communication with internal and external customers, including vendors, coworkers, subordinates, and leadership teams.

9. Promote a culture of technical excellence, operational discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the shipyard organization.

Qualifications

Required

· 10+ years of shipbuilding, heavy manufacturing, or maritime industrial experience

· Experience leading vessel construction, production operations, or manufacturing engineering teams

· Strong understanding of modular construction, production sequencing, and waterfront operations

· Experience managing cross-functional teams including production, engineering, planning, and quality

· Demonstrated success improving production efficiency, throughput, quality, and schedule performance

Preferred

· Experience in advanced manufacturing, industrialization, automation, or digital production systems

· Experience supporting Navy and commercial vessel programs

· Engineering degree or equivalent shipyard construction leadership experience

· Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

• Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan

• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success

• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage

• Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.