Pilot Sites Manager (m/f)

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and operationally capable Pilot Site Manager to coordinate and manage three advanced maritime pilot sites located in Šibenik and Rijeka: - Smart Mussel Farm (Šibenik) - Autonomous Marine Vehicle Operation Site (Šibenik) - Smart Marina (Rijeka) Location: Šibenik, Croatia, with coordination activities involving Zagreb, Rijeka and other MARBLE partner locations. The Pilot Site Manager will play a central role in ensuring the operational readiness, coordination, maintenance, logistics, and successful execution of research, testing, demonstration, and stakeholder activities at both sites in close collaboration with researchers, engineers, project partners, suppliers, and end-users. About the Pilot Sites: 1. Smart Mussel Farm – Mala Malinica, Šibenik The Smart Mussel Farm is an advanced aquaculture research and testing platform located in the Krka River estuary near Šibenik. The site includes a permanently moored research platform, experimental aquaculture infrastructure, environmental monitoring systems, ROV operations, water-quality sensing, and support equipment for sustainable aquaculture research and technology validation. For more info, visit https://marble.eu/smart-mussel-farm/. 2. Autonomous Marine Vehicle Operation Site – Martinska, Šibenik Located near the Ruđer Bošković Institute marine station at Martinska, this pilot site supports autonomous marine vehicle operations, underwater sensing networks, remote experiments, marine robotics testing, and diving operations. Infrastructure includes a shore station, underwater communication and sensing nodes, diving support facilities, and autonomous underwater vehicles. For more info, please visit https://marble.eu/autonomous-marine-vehicle-operation-site/. 3. Smart Marina - Rijeka The Smart Marina pilot site is part of the Centre of Excellence MARBLE infrastructure for developing and validating advanced technologies for the sustainable blue economy. Located in Rijeka, the Smart Marina serves as a real-world experimental environment for testing smart maritime infrastructure, autonomous systems, IoT solutions, environmental monitoring technologies, digital twins, and intelligent marina operations. The pilot site supports collaboration between researchers, industry partners, marina operators, and technology providers, enabling the development and demonstration of innovative solutions for safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable maritime operations and coastal services. For more details, please visit https://marble.eu/smart-marina/. Key Responsibilities: - Manage day-to-day operations of pilot sites - Coordinate site activities, field deployments, demonstrations, maintenance, and logistics - Ensure operational readiness of infrastructure, vessels, robotics systems, sensors, and equipment - Coordinate external contractors, suppliers, service providers, and maintenance activities - Support researchers and engineers during experiments, sea trials, and technology demonstrations - Organize access, scheduling, and operational planning for pilot-site usage - Oversee safety procedures, operational protocols, and compliance with maritime and site regulations - Coordinate procurement and inventory related to pilot-site operations - Maintain operational and technical documentation for both sites - Support installation, commissioning, and integration of new equipment and infrastructure - Coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and end-users during pilot activities - Assist in dissemination activities, visits, workshops, demonstrations, and public events - Participate in reporting activities related to EU and nationally funded projects - Support future expansion and development of pilot-site capabilities - Other tasks as defined by the Director, Associate Director for Business and Head of Engineering and Research Infrastructure Department

Candidates’ profile – Must haves: - Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. engineering, maritime studies, robotics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, marine technologies, or similar) - Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in technical operations - Strong organizational and communication skills - Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary technical activities and stakeholders - Experience working in operational or experimental environments - Strong communication skills in English - Willingness to travel and participate in field and marine operations Preferred qualifications – Bonus points: - Experience with maritime robotics, autonomous systems, marine technologies, or aquaculture systems - Experience coordinating sea trials, pilot deployments, or experimental infrastructure - Familiarity with marine operations and maritime safety procedures - Experience in EU-funded research and innovation projects - Experience with vessels, ROVs, AUVs, marine sensors, or monitoring systems - Diving certification or marine operation experience is considered an advantage - Project management certification or operational management experience is beneficial - B-category driver’s license, scuba diving certification - Excellent written and spoken English