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 Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering to join our Hardware Engineering organization. Reporting to the Head of Hardware Engineering, you will lead the mechanical design and execution of critical systems across Saildrone’s autonomous fleet. Your work will directly impact vehicle reliability, manufacturability, and performance in long-duration ocean operations.

We are looking for a technical leader who combines deep mechanical engineering expertise with disciplined execution, creates clarity from complex requirements, and builds teams that deliver production-ready systems at scale.

THE TEAM

The Mechanical Engineering team is responsible for the design, integration, and sustainment of electro-mechanical systems across Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles. We focus on delivering robust, manufacturable hardware that operates reliably in harsh maritime environments, enabling persistent maritime domain awareness in a national security and defense context.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mechanical System Design: Lead the design of electro-mechanical sub-assemblies—including actuation (servos), propulsion, structures (composites), and environmental enclosures—to meet performance, reliability, and maritime survival targets.

• BOM & Configuration Management: Be accountable for the total vehicle Bill of Materials across all sensor configurations, ensuring accuracy in part numbering, revision control, and assembly detailing.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Electrical, Firmware, and NPI teams to align on PCBA enclosures, thermal cooling paths, and sensor mounting to ensure cohesive vehicle platforms.

• CAD & Drawing Standards: Own the mechanical engineering execution pipeline, enforcing rigorous standards for CAD modeling, GD&T, and assembly detailing to ensure high-quality production releases.

• Design Validation: Monitor for mechanical risks through tolerance analysis, vibration testing, and thermal cycling, taking action to mitigate failures during long-duration ocean deployments.

• Prototyping & Manufacturability: Adhere to Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Serviceability standards, supporting pilot production builds to validate design requirements before full-scale production.

• Sustaining Engineering: Provide timely updates on field failures and technical blockers, leading root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts for deployed systems.

• Organizational Scaling: Meet commitments to build a high-performing team by recruiting and mentoring talent, fostering a culture of rapid iteration, technical reliability, and accountability.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of experience designing complex mechanical systems, with 3+ years in an engineering leadership role.

• Expertise in mechanical design fundamentals, including structures, materials, thermal systems, sealing, fasteners, corrosion mitigation, and BOM management.

• Proven experience designing hardware for harsh or mission-critical environments (maritime, aerospace, defense, robotics, or automotive).

• Strong proficiency in CAD, drawing standards, GD&T, and design review processes.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical decisions in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with a track record of delivering production-grade hardware.

• Ability to operate effectively across manufacturing and field environments.

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**$189,000—$243,000 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.