USV Operations Specialist – Commissioning
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This job is eligible only on a shortage list
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£58,300
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3512 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £58,300, and SYOS Aerospace is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
Worth checking: this could also be SOC 8232 (Marine and waterways transport operatives, Marine and waterways transport operatives if less supervisory/command focus), which is not on the eligible-occupation list. Ask SYOS Aerospace what the duties actually are.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3512 Ship and hovercraft officers Most likely code | £40,800 | £58,300 | £58,300 | £58,300 |
8232 Marine and waterways transport operatives Also possible | £33,400 | £41,700 | £41,700 | £41,700 |
3113 Engineering technicians Also possible | £33,400 | £34,000 | £38,300 | £42,500 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
At SYOS Aerospace, we’re building the next generation of autonomous systems across air, land and sea. Our uncrewed vehicles are designed to operate in the real world — and we’re looking for a USV Operations Specialist – Skipper to help take our maritime platforms from build to deployment.
The Opportunity
This is a hands-on operational role at the heart of our growing USV (Uncrewed Surface Vehicle) capability. You’ll commission, test and operate vessels through harbour and sea trials, customer demonstrations, training and operational deployments. You’ll work closely with Engineering and Production teams to troubleshoot issues, validate performance and help make our products better.
You’ll also represent SYOS directly with customers and partners - putting our technology through its paces in real-world environments.
What You’ll Do
- Commission and prepare USVs for deployment and customer delivery
- Conduct harbour, sea and acceptance trials
- Operate vessels and autonomous systems safely in coastal/offshore environments
- Troubleshoot systems across electronics, communications, networking and controls
- Support customer demonstrations, training and field deployments
- Capture operational feedback and feed improvements back into Engineering
- Prepare, tow, launch and recover vessels and support equipment
- Maintain operational documentation, risk assessments and test records
- Travel regularly across the UK and internationally, including occasional weekends
- 3+ years’ experience operating vessels in coastal or offshore environments
- Experience working with autonomous systems, robotics or remotely operated platforms
- Understanding of marine electronics, communications and navigation systems
- Experience with RF, LAN/networking, PLCs, DC motor controllers and system integration
You’ll join a fast-moving team developing technology that is moving from the workshop into the real world. No two days will be the same - from commissioning autonomous vessels to supporting customer trials and testing new capabilities at sea.
If you’re an experienced skipper who wants to work at the cutting edge of maritime autonomy, we want to hear from you.
SYOS Aerospace - building the future of autonomous systems.
Security Requirement
To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with SYOS Aerospace, so check their own site for the current details.
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Browse more sponsored jobs at SYOS AerospaceAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. SYOS Aerospace holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3512 going rate of £58,300. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.