Nauticus Robotics Unveils Leadership Changes, Expands Aquanaut Production

Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a pioneer in autonomous subsea technology, has announced strategic leadership changes and a substantial expansion of its manufacturing capabilities. These initiatives aim to enhance the Company’s growth trajectory and bolster its position in the commercial energy and defense sectors. The announcement was made on February 19, 2026, in Houston, Texas, following a key investment commitment from Master Investment Group to support the production of additional Aquanaut® vehicles.

New Leadership Appointments to Drive Growth

Nauticus has appointed Dr. Kjerstin “Kj” Easton as the new Vice President of Software. Dr. Easton brings over a decade of experience in software development, having held significant roles at notable tech companies including Google X and Apple. Her leadership in AI and robotics will be crucial for scaling Nauticus’ autonomy software platform, known as Nauticus ToolKITTTM.

John Gibson, President and CEO of Nauticus, emphasized the importance of Dr. Easton’s appointment, stating, “Bringing Dr. Easton to Nauticus is a transformative milestone. We are entering a period of acceleration in both software deployment and product commercialization.” Dr. Easton echoed this sentiment, expressing her enthusiasm for advancing subsea operations through the Company’s autonomy platform.

In addition to Dr. Easton, Chuck Claunch has been appointed as Chief Software Architect & Principal Software Engineer. His extensive background in robotics will support Nauticus’ integration into broader defense and commercial robotic ecosystems, enhancing the Company’s capabilities in multi-robot mission environments. This is particularly relevant as the industry moves toward interoperable robotic systems.

Focus on Revenue Growth and Market Expansion

Jason Close has transitioned to the role of Vice President of Growth & Go-To-Market, where he will spearhead Nauticus’ global go-to-market initiatives. His focus will be on expanding product sales and strengthening strategic partnerships. Close remarked, “We have a differentiated autonomy platform and vehicle portfolio. My focus is translating that capability into accelerated product adoption, stronger strategic partnerships, and measurable revenue growth.”

Alongside Close, Steve Walsh, Vice President of Sales, will continue to lead offshore service sales operations, ensuring that Nauticus maintains active deployments while pursuing a robust product-centric strategy.

The commitment from Master Investment Group to support the construction of additional Aquanaut vehicles is a pivotal factor in Nauticus’ expansion plans. This backing will enable the Company to scale production in response to increasing demand across both commercial energy and defense markets.

With these leadership enhancements and a clear focus on manufacturing expansion, Nauticus Robotics is positioning itself for significant growth. The alignment of its organizational structure around scalable autonomy software deployment and increased vehicle production is set to drive product-driven revenue growth.

About Nauticus Robotics, Inc.:
Nauticus Robotics develops autonomous robots tailored for ocean industries, utilizing advanced sensors and AI to adapt to various underwater environments. The Company’s model encompasses service provision, vehicle sales, and software licensing for both commercial and defense sectors. Nauticus is actively testing a new generation of vehicles aimed at reducing operational costs while enhancing data collection for subsea infrastructure maintenance.

As Nauticus embarks on this new chapter, the impact of its strategic initiatives will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and investors alike.