Leidos

USV Operator

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Full time

We’re a ‘Family Friendly’ certified workplace – we understand the often many and varied roles our team members need to play within their own unique family setting and actively support them.

Our team feel Leidos is a great place to work. Learn more about our culture and benefits by visiting us here https://www.leidos.com/company/global/australia/careers

Do Work That Matters

Leidos Australia delivers IT, airborne and maritime services solutions that protect and advance the Australian way of life.  Our 2000 local experts, backed by our global experience and network of partners, are working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in government, intelligence, defence, aviation, border protection and health markets.

Your New Role and Responsibilities

We have an opportunity for experienced and qualified coxswains to participate as USV Operator testing and operating a new build, fast, 12m Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV).

This role is responsible for operating USVs in strict compliance with safety standards, utilising a hand-held controller for launch, recovery, and nearshore operations, and a laptop for offshore missions.

  • Carrying out duties ensuring safe navigation during all USV operations, responding to changing vessel and weather conditions, marine traffic and operational requirements

  • Monitoring and actioning Navy tasking orders (email communications) in accordance with the Operations Plan, and maintaining Navigational and Mission plans

  • Reviewing Operational Risk Assessments and ensuring appropriate mitigations are implemented and revised as the operational situation evolves

  • Monitoring and actioning remoted USV radio communications

  • Ensuring that the USV equipment is fully functional and report defects immediately to the USV engineering team

  • Supporting the implementation of safety management system and best practices, ensuring compliance with Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) standards

  • Maintaining accurate USV Operations logbooks

  • Planning repair, servicing & refuelling schedule / plan

  • Preparing and briefing daily and weekly status and utilization reports

  • Other duties as required by the Project Manager

Support USV testing and commissioning activities alongside the Commissioning Team at deployed locations in Australia

  • Daytime work only is expected during vessel set to work and pre-commissioning testing

  • Day and Nighttime operations will be required onsite during initial commissioning and set to work.

  • Shiftwork will be required when operating the boat at times on completion of initial commissioning and set to work.

Coordinate with the USV technician and engineering team to ensure safe and effective operations

  • Contribute to troubleshooting and diagnostics of onboard systems in collaboration with the USV technician and engineering team

  • Contribute to the development and upkeep of USV operational procedures, providing feedback to the engineering team

Foster a proactive and positive safety culture within the team, leading by example

Participate in training sessions to enhance technical skills and knowledge of USV specific technologies and operations

About You

The preferred candidate will have a sound understanding of AMSA regulations and marine safety protocols, and experience operating inshore and ocean-going boats, outboard motors and installed marine systems (e.g. radar, AIS, electro-optical systems, satcom and VHF/UHF radios)

Able to commit to deployed work for a period of up to 1 month, and 24/7 shiftwork for a period of 2-3 months

Experience & Certifications

Required:

  • Current Coxswain Certificate of Competency (Grade 1 or 2)

  • Experience operating small commercial vessels

Preferred:

  • Experience operating fast vessels (up to 40 kts)

  • ASV operations and ASV Operator Course (AMC) / certification

  • Marine Radio Operator: Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

  • Naval testing and operations experience

  • Standard First Aid with CPR

Diverse Team Members, Shared Values and a Common Purpose

Providing our customers with smarter solutions takes an incredible team with diversity of thought, experience and perspectives driving innovation. Inclusion is at the heart of our culture and is one of our core values. It's about creating a workplace where everyone can do important work, feels welcome, valued, and respected, and has equal access to opportunities to thrive. Paul Chase – Chief Executive, Leidos Australia.

Leidos Australia is an equal opportunities organisation and is committed to creating a truly inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, veterans, neurodiverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

Our five Advocacy Groups (Women and Allies Network, Young Professionals, Defence & Emergency Services, Action for Accessibility and Abilities and Pride+) provide an opportunity for team members to connect and collaborate on shared interests, and work to support and celebrate our diverse community.

This role does require the successful applicant to be an Australian Citizen and be willing to obtain and hold a NV-1 or greater security clearance.  

Next Steps

To apply for this role, follow the links or apply via our Careers page.

  • Recruitment process - virtual / face to face interview & background checks.

  • Applicants may also need to meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements. In certain circumstances this can place limitations on persons who hold dual nationality, permanent residency or are former nationals of certain countries as per ITAR 126.1.

  • We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all candidates. Please contact our Careers team careers.au@au.leidos.com if you’d like to discuss any additional support during your application or throughout the recruitment process.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.