Shipyard Facilities Operations & Asset Reliability

Director Of Shipyard Facilities Operations & Asset Reliability

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.

Job Overview

The Director of Shipyard Facilities Operations & Asset Reliability owns infrastructure uptime, asset lifecycle performance, and execution of capital programs across the shipyard. This role ensures that critical production-enabling assets - cranes, lifts, docks, utilities, and facilities - operate reliably while simultaneously delivering capital projects and yard expansions safely, on schedule, and within approved budgets.

This position integrates maintenance discipline with capital execution, preventing infrastructure-driven production outages while building the next generation of shipyard capability. Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, financial rigor, and the ability to balance near-term operational reliability with long-term capacity growth.

Responsibilities

• Own reliability and availability of all production-critical assets, including:
• Cranes, hoists, and heavy lift systems
• Shiplifts, docks, transfer systems, and waterfront infrastructure
• Electrical power distribution, water, compressed air, and utilities
• Buildings, foundations, pavements, and fixed facilities
• Establish and enforce a disciplined preventive and predictive maintenance strategy to prevent unplanned outages
• Ensure corrective maintenance is prioritized, executed safely, and escalated appropriately when scope exceeds routine maintenance
• Partner with production leadership to align maintenance windows with operational demand
• Implement reliability metrics and use data to drive decisions
• Ensure new assets are onboarded with defined maintenance plans, documentation, and ownership
• Oversee asset condition assessments, lifecycle planning, and replacement strategies
• Own asset inventory accuracy, labeling, auditing, impairment review, and disposition decisions in coordination with Finance
• Own end-to-end execution of capital programs, including:
• Yard expansion and facility build-out
• Major equipment purchases and infrastructure upgrades
• Utility capacity expansions and site development
• Lead annual capital planning and prioritization aligned with production forecasts and long-term strategy
• Ensure projects are scoped, budgeted, approved, and executed in accordance with governance and delegation of authority
• Establish clear project controls for cost, schedule, scope, and risk
• Ensure projects transition cleanly from execution into operations with defined ownership and maintenance plans
• Coordinate closely with civil engineers, designers, contractors, and regulators to deliver compliant facilities
• Interfaces with permitting authorities and ensure capital work complies with environmental, safety, and building requirements
• Own capital and facilities budgets, including forecasting, tracking, and variance management
• Ensure appropriate classification and governance of maintenance, OPEX projects, and CAPEX investments
• Review estimates, commitments, and EACs to prevent cost overruns
• Drive value by balancing repair vs replacement decisions using lifecycle cost analysis
• Ensure timely closeout of projects and accurate capitalization of assets
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, EHS, and Quality to ensure infrastructure supports safe, efficient execution
• Align asset reliability priorities with throughput, schedule, and vessel delivery commitments
• Serve as escalation point when infrastructure risk threatens production continuity
• Lead facilities, maintenance, reliability, and capital project teams
• Set clear expectations for execution discipline, technical rigor, and accountability
• Develop internal capability in maintenance planning, reliability engineering, and project management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years experience in heavy industrial, shipyard, manufacturing, or infrastructure-intensive environments
• 5+ years leading facilities, maintenance, reliability, or capital programs
• Demonstrated experience owning uptime of critical industrial assets
• Proven track record delivering capital projects on time and on budget
• Strong understanding of:
• Preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance systems
• Asset lifecycle management and reliability principles
• Capital project controls and financial governance
• Experience interfacing with engineering, finance, contractors, and regulators
• Ability to balance short-term operational risk with long-term capital strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting shipyard, port, or waterfront industrial operations
• Background in reliability engineering or asset management programs
• Experience with large mobile cranes, ship lifts, docks, or heavy industrial utilities
• Familiarity with environmental, building, and infrastructure permitting
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience
• PMP or equivalent project management certification

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 company's 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

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.