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 Program Manager, Strategic Partnerships to join our Programs & Partnerships team. Reporting directly to the Chief Business Officer (CBO), you will play a critical role in acting as the single-threaded owner for Saildrone’s most strategic partner relationships and ensuring predictable, on-time, on-cost execution across complex, multi-year programs. Your work will directly impact delivery performance, partner trust, and Saildrone’s expansion in national security and defense markets. We are looking for a senior program leader who creates clarity from ambiguity, operates with a high bar for ownership and accountability, and independently drives execution across highly cross-functional, mission-critical initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

THE TEAM

The Program Management team is responsible for the execution of Saildrone’s highest-impact customer and strategic partner programs—from contract award through delivery, sustainment, and expansion. We are focused on disciplined program management and rigorous risk mitigation to deliver robust autonomous solutions for global maritime domain awareness, operating in a national security and defense environment where reliability and trust are paramount.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the executive point of contact for assigned strategic partner, owning senior-level relationships and day-to-day program execution.

• Own a portfolio of complex projects, from contract award through delivery, acceptance, sustainment, and expansion.

• Lead cross-functional execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, legal, security, and field teams.

• Establish and maintain integrated master plans, schedules, and budgets to ensure predictable delivery.

• Anticipate, surface, and mitigate technical, schedule, cost, contractual, and operational risks.

• Drive structured program, partner, and executive reviews with clear accountability and decision-making.

• Partner closely with business development and executive leadership to identify follow-on opportunities, program extensions, and new strategic initiatives.

• Represent the partner internally and Saildrone externally with authority, credibility, and clarity.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of experience leading complex technical programs, including ownership of customer-facing, mission-critical initiatives.

• Proven success managing executive-level partner relationships in defense, aerospace, maritime, or national-security environments.

• Deep experience managing cost, schedule, scope, and risk across multi-disciplinary engineering organizations.

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, negotiate, and drive alignment at all levels.

• Ability to operate independently as a single point of accountability in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefings.

• Familiarity with government, classified, export-controlled, or highly regulated contracting environments strongly preferred.

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**$150,000—$200,000 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.