Deputy Port Captain

Overview

The National Security Sector at Leidos, supporting the Overlord/Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (OMUSV) Program, is seeking a Deputy Port Captain to support a dynamic high‑growth organization. The incumbent will report directly to the Port Captain and will be onsite at Port Hueneme, California. The Deputy Port Captain will support the operations and testing of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV), developing and operating cutting‑edge autonomous vessel technology for the US Navy.

The program operates and sustains prototype autonomous vessels for test and evaluation, and develops operations, maintenance, logistics, and training procedures for the autonomous fleet of the future.

We are seeking resilient, innovative team‑players with a reputation for excellence. This position is on site at Port Hueneme, California and will require 10% travel, with the potential for assignment at sea for short durations.

• Manage waterfront operations for the USV program.
• Manage operational schedules, vessel crew, support craft, subcontracted vessel operators, and remote mission system operators in support of USV test and evaluation and fleet demonstration events.
• Coordinate with US Navy exercise planners, range planners, and fleet schedulers to support USV participation in fleet exercise and operational events.
• Support active‑duty US Navy personnel in planning and executing at‑sea events for USVs.
• Support training of US Navy personnel on USV operations and maintenance.
• Communicate with parties within and outside of OMUSV, and be responsible for external communications.
• Oversee all Mates and QMEDs as direct reports.
• Accept temporary assignments as Master aboard the vessels as required in an emergency; overtime and/or compensatory time is authorized for extended working hours.
• Develop logistics plans to support emergent repairs to casualties and testing.
• Travel to oversee logistics and operations at foreign port visits.
• Lead all procurement efforts for OMUSV vessels under the SMS Steering Committee.
• Assist the Port Captain with marine incident investigations, implementation of training programs, scheduling crew rotations, and disciplinary actions.

This position will require close cooperation and working relationships with active‑duty military and other government personnel.

• Bachelor's degree in a maritime field and 5 years of experience supervising or leading team projects.
• Experience managing operations for maritime projects.
• Experience coordinating major repairs, modifications, or vessel alterations.
• Experience with port operations.
• Active USCG Master Unlimited Tonnage Oceans License with corresponding STCW certificates.
• Sea time as Master or Mate documented by discharges or sea service letters.
• Clearance required:
  
  US citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance upon hire.

• Prior US military service, or civil service in DoD, preferably USCG or Navy.
• Experience managing support craft and crew for US Navy testing activities, including small craft and chartered test support vessels.
• USCG/US Navy/USNS vessel operational experience.
• Experience with unmanned surface vessel (USV) autonomy.
• Experience managing subcontractors and liaising with government and civilian entities.
• Experience conducting performance evaluations and reviews.
• Experience with federal procurement processes and guidelines.
• Experience with procurement for and execution of vessel repair projects.
• PMP certification.
• Master’s degree.

At Leidos, we don’t want someone who “fits the mold”—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over‑caffeinated, the ones who ask “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.” If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2, good. You’ll fit right in.