THE COMPANY

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365.

Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East. By combining proven autonomous operations, edge computing, advanced sensing, renewable power, and the most advanced and robust unmanned surface technology on the planet, Saildrone is shaping how the Navy of the future operates. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the forefront of maritime security and autonomous innovation.

THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking a Director of Robotics Software to join our Engineering team. Reporting directly to the VP of Software, you will play a critical role in defining the long-term vision for our robotics efforts and ensuring the delivery of mission-critical software stacks for our autonomous fleet. We are looking for a technical expert and leader who has a proven track record of managing managers to drive execution in a fast-paced environment. This role is essential for advancing our autonomous surface vehicle technology, focusing on the development and integration of robotic systems that enable our platforms to perceive, plan, and act in complex maritime environments.

THE TEAM

The Robotics Software group develops the core and application layers that enable Saildrone’s autonomous fleet to provide global maritime domain awareness. As a leader of leaders, you will oversee a multidisciplinary organization encompassing Core Robotics, Navigation/Autonomy, Perception, Machine Learning and Build/Release. Our mission is to engineer reliable, high-performance software stacks and optimize the integration of autonomy algorithms with our specialized hardware and compute resources.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, and engineering excellence across the robotics organization.

• Build and mentor a strong leadership bench, specifically managing managers and senior technical leaders within core robotics software, navigation/autonomy, perception, ML, and build/release.

• Recruit, retain, and develop world-class talent in a highly competitive market to continuously improve team effectiveness.

• Instill best development, testing, and release practices for onboard software systems.

• Oversee the architectural design and implementation of on-vehicle systems, including application software, autonomy behaviors, sensor pipelines, and machine learning.

• Collaborate on the roadmap for hardware and software development with executive and product stakeholders, identifying key technological challenges

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to align on priorities and ensure a safe, reliable, and optimized architecture across the autonomous platform.

• Manage budgets and resources effectively to meet project goals, including making strategic decisions on build-versus-buy and external partnerships.

• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with company values, safety expectations, quality standards, and ethical guidelines.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related technical field.

• 10+ years of experience in robotics or autonomous systems, with a significant portion (8+ years) spent in a technical leadership role managing large, multidisciplinary teams. and 2+ years of experience managing managers.

• Demonstrated experience in autonomous vehicles, aerospace, or a related field with complex embedded applications and mission-critical systems.

• Proven ability to bring complex robotic products from research to production-ready deployments.

• Deep expertise in one or more core areas: Navigation/Autonomy, Perception, ML, or Sensor Fusion (radar, cameras)/Localization.

• Technical proficiency in C++, with a strong understanding of robotics operating systems (e.g., ROS).

• Strong program and project management skills with experience overseeing complex deployments and managing globally distributed teams.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage both technical teams and executive stakeholders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Environmental Adaptability: Comfort working in challenging settings, including proximity to water and variable weather conditions.

• Safety & PPE: Ability to work around industrial materials while strictly adhering to PPE requirements.

The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.

Salary Range**$210,000—$270,000 USD**
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BENEFITS

At Saildrone, we’re building operational capability that matters—and that requires people who can do their best work over the long term. We invest in our team’s well-being, financial security, and professional growth so you can focus on delivering real-world impact with confidence and stability. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you and your family while you contribute to a mission with lasting significance.

• Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.

• Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long-term value you help create through meaningful, operational work.

• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.

• Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field.

• Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.

Saildrone is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.