Director of Contractor & Trade Partner Integration

Saronic•Austin, TX

21d

About The Position

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. Position Summary The Director of Contractor & Trade Partner Integration owns the performance, onboarding, safety, and quality execution of all external labor, specialty trades, and subcontractors supporting shipyard operations. This role ensures contract workforce activity is fully aligned with internal production, safety, quality, and schedule expectations. The Director is accountable for preventing misalignment between internal teams and contract labor by establishing clear standards, disciplined onboarding, and strong field-level integration. Success in this role ensures contractors operate as an extension of the yard, not as parallel or disconnected organizations. Core Accountability Areas - Contract Workforce Integration & Performance - Safety and Quality Alignment for External Labor - Onboarding, Standards, and Field Execution Discipline - Risk Reduction from Contract Misalignment

Requirements

Bachelorâs degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Management, or related discipline
10+ years experience in shipyard, heavy industrial, or construction environments
5+ years experience managing subcontractors, specialty trades, or contract labor programs
Demonstrated experience integrating external labor into active production environments
Strong understanding of:
Shipyard or industrial safety requirements
Quality and workmanship standards
Multi-trade production sequencing and interfaces
Proven ability to resolve contractor performance issues without disrupting production
Experience leading cross-functional teams and field-level execution

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting high-throughput or serial production shipyards
Familiarity with labor agreements, union environments, or mixed labor models
Experience managing specialty trade contractors (welding, joinery, electrical, machinery, etc.)
Background in contractor safety programs and field compliance auditing
Experience supporting startup or major production ramp-ups
Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience

Responsibilities

Own integration of all external labor, specialty trades, and subcontractors into shipyard operations
Establish clear expectations for contractor performance, supervision, and accountability
Ensure contractors are aligned with yard standards for safety, quality, productivity, and conduct
Act as the primary escalation point for contractor performance issues impacting production
Design and enforce standardized onboarding for all contractors, including:
Safety orientation and site-specific requirements
Quality expectations and workmanship standards
Work rules, access controls, and communication protocols
Ensure contractors understand how work is planned, sequenced, and released in the yard
Prevent gaps between contract scope language and actual execution requirements
Partner with EHS to ensure contractor compliance with:
Shipyard safety rules and procedures
Permit-to-work systems (hot work, confined space, work at height)
SIMOPS coordination and exclusion zones
Ensure contractor supervision actively manages safety execution on the deckplates
Support incident investigations involving contract labor and drive corrective actions
Partner with Quality and Production to ensure contractor work meets yard standards
Ensure contractor crews are qualified for assigned scopes (welding, coatings, electrical, etc.)
Own prevention of rework caused by poor contractor integration or unclear expectations
Support inspections, punch list resolution, and acceptance activities
Establish contractor performance metrics tied to:
Safety outcomes
Quality and rework
Schedule adherence
Productivity and workforce reliability
Lead regular contractor performance reviews and improvement plans
Support decisions related to contractor continuation, expansion, or removal
Coordinate closely with Production, Planning, Quality, EHS, and Procurement
Ensure contractor scopes are sequenced properly with internal work
Prevent conflict between internal crews and external labor by clarifying ownership and interfaces
Support rapid resolution of field-level issues impacting schedule
Lead contractor integration managers, coordinators, or field representatives
Establish governance models for contractor usage, oversight, and escalation
Develop internal capability to manage contract labor at scale

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan 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 with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the companyâs success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office