Bluefin Robotics, a market- leader in the design and manufacturing of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), is pleased to announce that the company has named Mr Jeffrey M Smith as its chief operating officer (COO).

Mr. Smith joined Bluefin in May of 2005 as the Director of Programs where he established a programme management organisation to effectively manage the growing complexity of government and commercial contracts. Mr. Smith also implemented the process framework for programme management necessary to support Bluefin’s recent ISO 9001:2008 certification for the design, development, manufacturing, operation, and servicing of their AUVs and related products.

He is a mechanical engineer by training and spent 15 years with General Dynamics prior to joining Bluefin. As COO, his primary focus at Bluefin will be to continue to lead the company’s capture efforts for large developmental programmes, and maintain growth in the defence sector.

"Jeff’s track record of capturing and executing contracts assures me his new role as chief operating officer will prove fruitful," said David P. Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin. "I look forward to having Jeff play a significant part in shaping the future of this company."