
Autonomous Sea Trials Test Planner
LED FastStart • Franklin, Louisiana, United States
Role & seniority: Autonomous Sea Trials Test Planner; senior-level, 7+ years in test/validation or related operational readiness roles; leads pier-side and underway test execution.
Stack/tools: autonomous systems and control requirements; test planning (test plans, run sheets, SITREPs, test reports); defect tracking and corrective actions; data capture, logs, timestamps, and annotations; traceability across software baselines and vessel configurations; interfaces with remote software teams; liaison with classification societies (e.g., ABS).
Top 3 responsibilities
-
Author/maintain sea trial test plans for pier-side and underway autonomy verification; build matrices with objective criteria and safety controls.
-
Serve as on-scene test lead, direct real-time execution, ensure safety, verify system functionality against acceptance criteria, and produce daily SITREPs and formal trial documentation.
-
Coordinate test readiness, manage defect workflows, retest verifications, and develop improvement workflows for software teams.
Must-have skills: 7+ years in test/validation or trials; proven lead on pier-side and underway tests; strong knowledge of shipboard activities and vessel readiness; defect tracking and corrective-action documentation; exceptional stakeholder management and cross-functional communication; ability to work onboard vessels for extended periods.
Nice-to-haves: experience supporting builder’s/customer trials on autonomous platforms; experience
Full Description
Job Requirements 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.
The Autonomous Sea Trials Test Planner is responsible for planning, executing, evaluating, and documenting pier-side and underway autonomous vessel test events. This role translates autonomy and control-system requirements into safe, repeatable sea trial procedures; leads onboard execution with vessel crew and engineering teams; and produces internal and class ready trial packages including test plans, SITREPs, test reports, discrepancy tracking, and corrective action documentation. The role interfaces daily with software development teams, vessel operators, vendors, and internal stakeholders to verify autonomy functionality and rapidly converge issues to resolution. This position will be working directly with the software team.
Responsibilities Author and maintain autonomous sea trial test plans covering pier-side and underway verification of autonomy behaviors, machinery control, navigation control, and integrated voyage execution. Build test matrices mapping requirements to objective pass/fail criteria, safety controls, data capture needs, and contingency actions. Develop event-ready documentation packages including test cards, run sheets, communications plans, safety briefs, and go/no-go checklists. Serve as on-scene test lead for autonomy trials, directing real-time execution and ensuring safety-of-test. Lead verification of system functionality during operational events to confirm performance against acceptance criteria. Coordinate test readiness across vessel condition, maintenance status, and trial prerequisites. Establish required logs, timestamps, system states, and annotations to ensure complete data capture. Track issues using structured defect workflows including reproducibility steps, severity, and corrective actions. Coordinate prioritization of fixes and verify corrections through structured retest events. Produce daily SITREPs and formal trial documentation including test reports, discrepancy logs, and corrective action summaries. Develop opportunity for improvement work flow that produces failure reports and troubleshooting reports that can be used by internal software teams to improve software. Maintain traceability across software baselines, vessel configuration changes, and retest evidence. Working directly with and reporting findings to remote software teams daily. Support vessel modifications and testing impacts through internal stake holders and support vessel POC’s. Coordinate maintenance periods and readiness actions protecting test schedules. Interface with classification society survey activities (e.g., ABS) to align compliance and test execution.
Work Experience Required Qualifications 7+ years in test/validation, trials, port engineering, or operational readiness roles for complex systems. Demonstrated experience leading pier-side and underway test execution. Working knowledge of shipboard activities and vessel readiness. Experience tracking sea trial defects, recording them and producing corrective actions. Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills. Ability to work onboard vessels for prolonged periods of time. Scheduling to be determined during test cycles. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting builder’s trials and customer trials on autonomous platforms. Experience coordinating with classification societies and shipyard periods. Marine engineering or naval architecture background. Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering or related field; advanced engineering degree preferred.
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
This role 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)