About Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition is the vehicle intelligence company that accelerates the global adoption of safe, AI-driven machines. Founded in 2017, Applied Intuition delivers the toolchain, Vehicle OS, and autonomy stacks to help customers build intelligent vehicles and shorten time to market. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers and major programs across the Department of Defense trust Applied Intuition's solutions to deliver vehicle intelligence. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining, and agriculture industries and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Diego, CA, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ann Arbor, MI, London, Stuttgart, Munich, Stockholm, Seoul, and Tokyo. Learn more at appliedintuition.com.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. (Note: For EpiSci job openings, fully remote work will be considered by exception.)

About EpiSci

EpiSci, an Applied Intuition company, develops next-generation, tactical autonomy solutions for national security problems. EpiSci’s autonomy software is technology agnostic, operationally informed, tactically relevant, and has piloted swarms of uncrewed aerial systems and tactical fighter aircraft. Additional applications include crewed-uncrewed teaming for air dominance, cognitive sensors, and networks for advanced communications systems, as well as battle management command and control for informed decision-making. EpiSci delivers unmatched speed, cost-efficiency, and scalability as the preferred partner for defense agencies and industry teams seeking mission-critical autonomy solutions.

About the role

As the maritime Test Director (TD), you are the ultimate authority on our system's readiness for real-world deployment. You will build and lead the function that bridges the gap between cutting-edge R&D and mission-proven capability. You will not just test our autonomous vessels; you will define the very standard of reliability and performance that ensures we deliver a decisive advantage to our nation's defenders. This is a role for a leader who thrives on complex challenges and is driven to see technology make a tangible impact in the most demanding environments on Earth. You will own the holistic assessment of our autonomous systems, ensuring they are performant, reliable and safe.

At EpiSci, you will:

• Design, implement, and own the comprehensive T&E strategy for our entire fleet of autonomous surface vehicles, from concept and simulation to full-scale, multi-vessel operational deployment
• Develop and own the complete Verification and Validation (V&V) workflow for our product line, establishing the processes, metrics, tools, and infrastructure that define mission readiness
• Synthesize operational risk management frameworks and communicate potential risk to the senior Program Manager ahead of at-sea sorties
• Define and own Operational Design Domain (ODD)-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for autonomy, focusing on quantifiable metrics for safety, capability, and reliability in complex maritime environments
• Lead the strategic balance between simulation, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), closed-course, and open-ocean testing to maximize learning velocity while ensuring absolute safety and efficiency
• Author and maintain master test plans, strategic planning documents, and provide input to the EpiSci Program Managers for Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) documentation (e.g., System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), System Requirements Specification (SRS)) for government programs

We're looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Ocean, Systems), Computer Science, or a related technical field
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in systems engineering, integration, and/or test and evaluation of complex electro-mechanical or software-intensive systems, with at least 5 years in a formal leadership capacity
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience leading the test and evaluation of autonomous or unmanned systems in a relevant domain (air, ground, or sea)
• Experience with using agile program management tooling such as Atlassian Jira
• Exemplary critical writing and analysis skills, able to draft comprehensive after action reports
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40% of the time, including significant periods spent offshore on vessels of various sizes in potentially harsh conditions
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Travel Requirements:

• 40% of the time
• Role will be based in San Diego, CA

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Nice to have:

• Direct, hands-on experience with the development, integration, and/or operational testing of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) or Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
• Proven experience leading on-deck maritime operations, including vessel handling, launch and recovery, and working with pier-side and port service partners
• Architectural understanding of a full autonomy software stack, including its core components: perception, prediction, planning, and control systems
• Technical proficiency with modern robotics development and testing tools, such as C++, Python, Robot Operating System (ROS/ROS2), and high-fidelity simulation environments
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools (e.g., SysML, UML) for requirements management and test case development
• Demonstrated experience interfacing directly with government customers, particularly the U.S. Navy, and a strong familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, contracting, and reporting requirements
• Prior military experience in a relevant operational or technical field (e.g., Navy EOD, Naval Special Warfare (NSW), billets related to operations of robotic and autonomous systems (RAS); is a significant advantage

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $150,000 to $180,000 USD annually.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.