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Overview Heavy Equipment Operator (Watercraft Operator) (AVTV-2026-26058): Bowhead is seeking an experienced Watercraft Operator to support military maritime operations and testing at Camp Pendleton, California. The position will operate and maintain RHIBs and other military watercraft while supporting safe, reliable, and effective test operations.
Responsibilities Essential functions will include:
Small Boat Operations:
Minimum of 10 years of military experience operating and maintaining small boats, including 10/11-meter RHIBs or larger watercraft, or a current U.S. Coast Guard license with equivalent small-boat operating experience.
Military Maritime Operations:
Demonstrated experience supporting military maritime operations, watercraft testing, sea trials, and test and evaluation activities.
Watercraft Experience:
Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining watercraft comparable to Military vessels, including 11-meter RHIBs and 64-foot workboats.
Navigation and Communications:
Proficiency in marine navigation and communication systems, including radar, GPS, nautical charts, compass, depth sounder/fathometer, marine VHF/UHF radios, and other vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communication equipment.
Electro-Optic and Signaling Equipment:
Experience operating night-vision/electro-optic systems and pyrotechnic signaling equipment.
Multi-Vessel and Close-Quarters Operations:
Extensive experience coordinating and safely operating multiple watercraft in close proximity to other vessels, waterborne structures, and personnel, including 10/11-meter RHIB operations at speeds ranging from below one knot to approximately 45 knots.
Diving Operations:
Experience supporting military and emergency scuba-diving operations, including live-boat operations and maintaining vessel position and stability while divers are in the water.
Emergency and Search and Rescue Operations:
Thorough understanding of maritime emergency procedures, including communications and coordination with civilian and military Search and Rescue personnel and helicopter/stokes-basket medical evacuation operations.
Offshore and Amphibious Operations:
Demonstrated experience with over-the-horizon navigation and offshore operations up to 50 nautical miles from shore, including support of launches from amphibious shipping.
Passenger and Personnel Transfers:
Experience conducting or supporting safe passenger and personnel transfers between small boats and naval vessels using Jacobs ladders, stern gates, or other approved transfer methods.
Marine Mechanical and Electrical Systems:
Demonstrated experience performing or supporting maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs involving marine engines, transmissions, electrical systems, electronics, steering systems, fuel systems, and associated vessel equipment.
Preventive and Corrective Maintenance:
Experience conducting pre- and post-operational inspections, identifying equipment deficiencies, troubleshooting problems, performing preventive and corrective maintenance, and coordinating repairs.
Operational and Maintenance Documentation:
Ability to accurately maintain vessel logs, maintenance records, inspection documentation, discrepancy reports, test records, and other required operational documentation.
Test and Evaluation Support:
Experience following test procedures, supporting test objectives, collecting and documenting operational data, recording test results, and coordinating with test personnel and government representatives.
Safety and Risk Management:
Working knowledge of maritime safety procedures, risk management, emergency equipment, personal protective equipment, crew safety, and safe operating practices.
Environmental and Operational Conditions:
Demonstrated ability to safely operate watercraft during day and night operations and under varying weather, sea-state, visibility, and operational conditions.
Operational Judgment:
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions regarding vessel operations, weather and sea conditions, personnel safety, equipment limitations, and emergency situations. Other duties as assigned Qualifications Current U.S. Coast Guard license appropriate for the size and type of watercraft operated and/or Minimum of 10 years of military experience operating and maintaining small boats Prior experience supporting Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or other military test and evaluation organizations. Experience operating and maintaining 11-meter RHIBs, LCACs, workboats, or similar military watercraft. Experience supporting amphibious operations and ship-to-small-boat operations. Experience supporting military diving, underwater test, or emergency response operations. Formal training or certification in small-boat operations, navigation, maritime safety, first aid/CPR, or emergency response. Experience operating marine radar, GPS/navigation systems, night-vision/electro-optic systems, and other specialized test or operational equipment. Experience with diesel marine propulsion systems, waterjets, transmissions, electrical systems, and marine electronics. Experience working directly with government personnel, Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), engineers, and other government representatives.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
No security clearance is required for this job.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
There are currently no Security Clearance requirements for this position; however, candidates must be able to successfully pass a background check. Due to the location of this work, US Citizenship is required. Bowhead reserves the right to change this requirement if necessitated by business needs or contractual obligations. #LI-__ Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol screening and/or random drug screen, and must follow UIC's Non-DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program requirements. If the position requires, an applicant must pass a pre-employment criminal background history check. All post-secondary education listed on the applicant's resume/application may be subject to verification. Where driving may be required or where a rental car must be obtained for business travel purposes, applicants must have a valid driver license for this position and will be subject to verification. In addition, the applicant must pass an in-house, online, driving course to be authorized to drive for company purposes. UIC is an equal opportunity employer. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status EOE/D/V. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and subject to other state and federal requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity posters here . All candidates must apply online at www.uicalaska.com , and submit a completed application for all positions they wish to be considered. Once the employment application has been completed and submitted, any changes to the application after submission may not be reviewed. Please contact a UIC HR Recruiter if you have made a significant change to your application. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC Human Resources for assistance www.uicalaska.com/careers/recruitment/ . The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) UIC Government Services (UICGS / Bowhead) provides innovative business solutions to federal and commercial customers in the areas of engineering, maintenance services, information technology, program support, logistics/base support, and procurement. Collectively, the fast-growing Bowhead Family of Companies offers a breadth of services which are performed with a focus on quality results. Headquartered in Springfield, VA, we are a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar company recognized as a top Alaska Native Corporation providing services across the Department of Defense and many federal agencies. Bowhead offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short/long-term disability, and 401(k) retirement plans as well as a paid time off programs for eligible full-time employees. Eligible part-time employees are able to participate in the 401(k) retirement plans and state or contract required paid time off programs. Join our Talent Community! Join our Talent Community (https://talentconnect.uicalaska.com/government-services/talentcommunity) to receive updates on new opportunities and future events. Software Powered by ICIMS (https://icims.help/candidate-faq)
