Head of Reliability

Role Summary

We’reseeking a Head of Reliability to lead quality, reliability, and testing for our autonomous naval vessels. This is a critical leadership role at the intersection of hardware, software, and systems engineering.You’llcollaborate closely with the Head of Engineering and Head of Software to ensure our shipsoperatereliably in the harshest ocean environments for months at a time.

This role is based in ourLexington, MA headquarters,or at our R&D facility located on the South Coast of Massachusetts..You’llbuild reliability and quality systems from the ground up-establishingworld-class standards while working within startup constraints.

WhatYou’llDo

• Define and implement reliability, quality, and testing strategy for autonomous maritime systems

• Build and lead a lean, high-performing reliability organization from the ground up

• Establish quality gates, test protocols, and reliability metrics that balance rigor with speed

• Develop reliability models and failure mode analysis for complex hardware/software systemsoperatingin extreme ocean environments

• Design accelerated life testing and environmental testing programs thatvalidateperformance under real-world conditions

• Working with Engineering, create predictive maintenance strategies forsystems that mustoperateautonomously for extended periods

• Build comprehensive test strategies spanning unit, integration, system, and sea trials

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes to improve system performance

• Develop supplier quality programs and incoming inspection protocols

• Establish documentation, traceability, and continuous improvement processes

• Collaborate with engineering, software, and operations teams to embed reliability into design, manufacturing, and testing

• Interface with customers and regulatory bodies on reliability and quality requirements

Who You Are

• Bringextensiveexperience in reliability, quality, or test engineering roles with increasing leadership responsibility

• Have a proventrack recordbuilding reliability programs for complex hardware/software systems

• Have at least five years of experience with analysis and test of both hardware and software systems

• Bring deep experience with FMEA, fault tree analysis, reliability modeling, and accelerated testing

• Are comfortable working in resource-constrained environments and making pragmatic tradeoffs

• Have background in defense, maritime, aerospace, automotive, or robotics industries

• Understand autonomous and safety-critical systemsoperatingin harsh environments

• Make sound engineering judgments with incomplete information and adapt quickly

• Are data-driven but know when to rely on test results, analysis, or experience

• Communicate clearly and effectively across technical and non-technical teams

• Are hands-on when needed and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Nice to Haves

• Hold an advanced degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering

• Have experience with maritime systems, naval architecture, or marine engineering

• Are familiar with MIL-STD reliability and quality standards

• Have worked with AI/ML system validation and testing

• Have led reliability programs in early-stage startups or innovation labs

• Security clearance

What We Offer

• Incrediblyhigh-caliberteammates-you’llwork directly with our co-founders and technical leads

• A mission-driven environment designing technology that protects American lives and democracy

• Significant ownership and influence over how reliability and quality are built at scale

• A fast-paced, creative culture that values clarity, teamwork, and decisive execution

• Equal opportunityemployer. All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S.; we are unable to sponsor or transfer visas

Compensation

• Salary Range: $190,000-$220,000 annual base salary
• Additional compensation: Startup equity options
• Benefits: health, dental, vision, PTO
• Final compensation will depend on experience and skill level

Who We Are

We are an early-stage, maritime defense technology startup backed by top tier investors. Our team is designing and building autonomous and highlyproducibleships that can serve multiple missions on the open ocean.