Ocean Aero Inc
Ocean Aero builds autonomous underwater and surface vehicles powered by wind and solar energy for long-range ocean missions. The Gulfport, Mississippi-based company has raised $15M and employs 80 people.
The growth story
Ocean Aero Inc grew from 41 to 80 employees between 2022 and 2026, raising $15M along the way, most recently a Series D in September 2022.
About
Ocean Aero designs and manufactures hybrid autonomous vehicles that operate both underwater and on the ocean surface, using renewable energy sources for extended missions. Their technology targets defense and space manufacturing applications where persistent, long-range ocean monitoring is required.
The company has grown to 80 employees and secured $15M in funding, most recently closing a Series D round in September 2022. Its investor base includes defense industry players like Lockheed Martin Ventures alongside venture capital firms focused on energy innovation and community development.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is Ocean Aero's largest function, with 15 employees dedicated to vehicle design and development. The company's leadership team draws heavily from defense and maritime technology backgrounds, reflecting its focus on military and space applications.
The Ocean Aero Inc org chart
Kevin Decker (Chief Executive Officer) leads 21 mapped leaders with 4 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Operations 25 (+47% YoY), Engineering 23 (0% YoY), Sales 6 (-14% YoY), Business Development 6 (-25% YoY), Information Technology 5 (0% YoY), Military and Protective Services 4 (+100% YoY).
Talent flow
Ocean Aero recruits heavily from defense contractors and the military, with the US Navy, HII, and Lockheed Martin being top talent sources. Employees often move to other maritime technology companies, with Seasats being the most common destination.
Most common previous employers of Ocean Aero Inc staff: US Navy (5), HII (3), GE (2), Lockheed Martin (2), Thompson Equipment Company (TECO) (2), Naval Oceanographic Office (2). Former Ocean Aero Inc employees most often moved to Seasats (4), Beyond Gravity (2), Map the Gaps (2), Apple (2), Strategos Consulting (1), Leidos (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The Ocean Aero Inc mafia
Ocean Aero alumni have founded five companies, primarily in maritime technology. Seasats, founded by two Ocean Aero alumni, has grown to 68 employees, making it the most successful spin-off.
6Mike Flanigan, was Development Engineer II until 2018Dylan Rodriguez, was Electronics Engineering Lead & Project Manager until 2019Matthew Morris, was R&D Engineer until 2020Andy Ziegwied, was Vice President of Ocean Data until 2023Michael Clarke, was VP, National Strategy until 2026Neil Trenaman, was Vice President of Business Development until 2020Hiring now
Web traffic
Traffic mix: 36% direct, 53% search, 3% social, 0% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Ocean Aero Inc: Microsoft Office (21), Leadership (20), Project Management (19), Strategic Planning (15), Research Skills (15), Engineering (14), Program Management (14), Management (13).
Where the team actually sits
Ocean Aero Inc people are concentrated in Mississippi, United States (29), Florida, United States (3), Greater Biloxi Area (3), United States (2).
Search footprint
Ocean Aero Inc attracts about 123 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $2K a month if bought through ads. It gained 26 ranking keywords and lost 14 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 2.40 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 1.50 / 5
- Senior management
- 1.00 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 1.80 / 5
Frequently asked
Ocean Aero Inc has 80 employees as of September 2026.
Ocean Aero Inc has raised $15M in total, most recently a Series D round in September 2022.
Kevin Decker (Chief Executive Officer) sits at the top of Ocean Aero Inc's reporting structure, with 4 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Ocean Aero Inc staff are US Navy (5 people), HII (3 people), GE (2 people).
Former Ocean Aero Inc employees most often move to Seasats (4), Beyond Gravity (2), Map the Gaps (2).
At least 5 companies have a founder who previously worked at Ocean Aero Inc, including Seasats, Altra, Blue Functionality.
Ocean Aero Inc attracts about 123 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $2K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among Ocean Aero Inc staff are Microsoft Office, Leadership, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Research Skills.
Ocean Aero Inc staff are concentrated in Mississippi, United States (29), Florida, United States (3), Greater Biloxi Area (3).
Ocean Aero Inc has about 25 people in Operations, up 47% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Ocean Aero Inc has about 23 people in Engineering, up 0% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 48 current and 77 former Ocean Aero Inc profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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