Manager, Military Operations

RED CAT HOLDINGS•San Diego, CA

4d•$115,000 - $179,688•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Military Operations leads the day-to-day oversight, coordination, and development of Blue Ops INC's Military Operations Specialists. The role connects frontline operators and instructors with senior leadership, ensuring teams are prepared, resourced, and aligned to execute operational events, defense programs, and training initiatives. The Manager translates program objectives and strategic direction into team-level plans, directly supervises Military Operations Specialists, and maintains working knowledge of USV systems, mission planning, and instructional delivery. The position requires active field engagement alongside the team. The Manager coordinates operational events, demonstrations, military exercises, and testing activities; supports mission planning and operational documentation; coordinates with government customers, partner organizations, and internal stakeholders; and ensures compliance with maritime regulations, safety procedures, and program standards. The role is the primary day-to-day coordination point among Military Operations, Training, Engineering, and Business Administration teams, and maintains records and reports on team activities, event outcomes, training, and qualifications. The position directly supervises Military Operations Specialists and others assigned to the team, including daily task assignments, performance feedback, scheduling, field-readiness oversight, and input into formal performance evaluations. It reports to the Senior Manager, Military Operations. The role is based at BlueOps in San Diego, California, and involves work in office, laboratory, and field operational environments, with travel of up to 50% and occasional evenings, weekends, or extended hours.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Bachelor's degree in engineering, maritime operations, military science, instructional design, defense systems, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in defense operations, maritime systems, autonomous systems, or unmanned vehicle operations.
Minimum of 2 years in a supervisory, team lead, or personnel management role in an operational or technical environment.
Demonstrated experience planning and executing operational events, exercises, or defense programs.
Familiarity with USV systems, autonomous platforms, command-and-control software, or maritime operations.
Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across operations, training, and engineering functions.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Active DoD Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one.
Ability to work in office, laboratory, and field operational environments, including shipyards, test ranges, and outdoor maritime settings.
Ability to stand, walk, and move around operational environments for extended periods during field events.
Ability to lift or move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, as may be required.
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to testing sites, demonstration events, training locations, and operational deployments.
Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including heat, humidity, wind, and marine environments.
Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or extended hours to support mission operations, exercises, or customer demonstrations.
Valid driver's license and ability to operate government or rental vehicles at event and training sites.
Must successfully complete a post-offer background check.
For work 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.

Nice To Haves

Prior U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or special operations military experience with surface warfare, maritime patrol, or expeditionary operations.
Experience operating or overseeing operations of USVs, UAS, or other autonomous systems.
Background in both operational execution and training program delivery.
Familiarity with government program management, SOWs, CDRLs, or defense contract environments.
PMP, CAPM, or equivalent program/project management certification.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise Military Operations Specialists; manage day-to-day scheduling, task assignments, and team priorities.
Conduct one-on-one check-ins, performance conversations, and developmental coaching; identify training needs and develop plans to address skill gaps.
Support onboarding and integration of new team members and ensure personnel are qualified and ready for operational or instructional roles.
Foster accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and mission focus; provide the Senior Manager with input on team performance, staffing needs, and personnel actions.
Coordinate team participation in operational events, demonstrations, military exercises, and testing activities.
Develop and manage pre-event planning timelines, task assignments, and readiness checklists; ensure personnel are briefed, equipped, and prepared before field events.
Serve as an on-site operational lead or designate qualified team leads; oversee post-event debriefs and after-action report completion and incorporate lessons learned into future planning.
Maintain working familiarity with USV operations, command-and-control systems, and mission execution procedures to support, guide, and evaluate the team in the field.
Support development of mission plans, CONOPs, and operational documentation for assigned programs and events.
Coordinate with government customers, partner organizations, and internal stakeholders to define mission requirements and manage operational expectations.
Ensure team compliance with maritime regulations, safety procedures, and program-specific operational standards; escalate risks, resource conflicts, and schedule impacts to the Senior Manager.
Coordinate day-to-day across Military Operations, Training, Engineering, and Business Administration, including with engineering and autonomy teams, demo/RDT&E specialists, payload and sensor integrators, logistics and field support personnel, and government training managers and contracting officers.
Represent the team in internal planning meetings, program reviews, and status updates.
Maintain accurate records of team activities, event outcomes, training completions, and personnel qualifications; produce periodic status reports and team updates for the Senior Manager.
Support program deliverables, data calls, and government-required reporting as needed.
Provide daily task assignments, performance feedback, scheduling, field-readiness oversight, and input into formal performance evaluations for direct reports.