Commissioning Manager in Fareham

We're looking for an experienced Commissioning Manager to lead the commissioning and factory acceptance testing (FAT) of Kraken's advanced unmanned maritime platforms.

This is a key leadership role within our Maritime Operations team, responsible for developing and managing the commissioning capability across the business.

From early-stage vessel development through to customer acceptance, you'll ensure platforms are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

Working closely with Engineering, R&D, Production, Systems Integration and Product Development teams, you'll establish commissioning strategies, develop robust processes and procedures, and build a scalable commissioning function capable of supporting Kraken's continued growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a critical role in bringing cutting-edge autonomous maritime technology from concept to operational deployment.

• Lead, manage and develop the Commissioning Team, ensuring the successful delivery of all commissioning activities
• Hold full accountability for the commissioning of unmanned maritime platforms from build completion through to customer acceptance
• Develop, implement and maintain commissioning processes, procedures and best practice across the business
• Work collaboratively with R&D, Engineering and Production teams to ensure commissioning requirements are considered from the earliest stages of platform development
• Create commissioning guides, plans, test documentation and acceptance procedures for prototype and production platforms
• Ensure commissioning documentation is produced, reviewed and approved ahead of programme requirements
• Establish and maintain robust configuration management processes throughout the commissioning lifecycle
• Lead gated reviews and sign‑off activities throughout testing and acceptance programmes
• Ensure vessel configurations, software baselines, hardware revisions and supporting documentation remain controlled and traceable
• Identify, manage and resolve commissioning issues while coordinating corrective actions with technical teams
• Manage commissioning schedules, priorities and resource allocation across multiple programmes
• Monitor commissioning performance, quality and efficiency, driving continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure all commissioning activities are delivered safely and in accordance with company quality standards and processes
• Provide commissioning readiness updates, progress reports and performance metrics to senior leadership
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the commissioning function
• Proven leadership experience managing commissioning, integration, testing or engineering teams
• Strong understanding of complex marine, electrical, mechanical and software-integrated systems
• Experience developing commissioning procedures, acceptance criteria, testing documentation and operational guides
• Strong understanding of configuration management and controlled engineering processes
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making and communication skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Self‑motivated and comfortable taking full ownership of delivery outcomes
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel in support of trials, customer acceptance activities and operational requirements
• Experience working with autonomous systems or unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
• Experience within maritime, defence, naval or offshore sectors.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and product lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with software configuration control and release management.
• Experience using project planning and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence and Microsoft Project.
• Understanding of maritime regulations, classification requirements and certification processes.
• Experience supporting customer acceptance, sea trials and delivery programmes.
• Work closely with engineering, production and operational teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Take ownership of commissioning strategy and delivery across multiple platforms and programmes.
• Lead, mentor and develop a growing team of commissioning professionals.
• Drive consistency, standardisation and best practice across commissioning activities.
• Balance technical, operational and commercial priorities to deliver successful outcomes.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement.
• Support the successful transition of products from development into operational deployment.

Joining us means you'll have the opportunity to

• Lead commissioning activities for cutting‑edge autonomous maritime platforms
• Influence products from concept development through to customer delivery
• Work alongside highly skilled engineers, operators and technical specialists
• Shape and develop a critical business function within a rapidly growing organisation
• Play a key role in the future of autonomous and maritime technology
• Grow your career in an innovative, fast‑paced and collaborative environment
• 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
• After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annual leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
• Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
• Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
• Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
• Life assurance 3x salary
• Group Income Protection 3x salary, subject to eligibility
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Professional membership reimbursement

Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.

Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all.

Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

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