Director of Facilities Operations & Asset Reliability
NightDragon Acquisition Corp., Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Position Summary
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.
The Director of Asset Reliability and Capital Programs 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
Asset Reliability & Facilities Operations
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
Capital Programs & Yard Expansion
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
Financial & Program Controls
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
Cross‑Functional Integration
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
Team Leadership
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
This role 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.
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The Director of Asset Reliability and Capital Programs 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
Asset Reliability & Facilities Operations
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
Capital Programs & Yard Expansion
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
Financial & Program Controls
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
Cross‑Functional Integration
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
Team Leadership
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
This role 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr