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 Staff Platform Engineer to join our team. Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, Platform, you will play a critical role in ensuring the stability, scalability, and reliability of the systems that power our fleet and customer-facing services. We are looking for a technical leader and hands-on engineer who drives clarity from ambiguity, leads complex projects across multiple teams, and delivers robust platform solutions that enable Saildrone’s rapid growth and operational success.

THE TEAM

The Platform team manages the foundational systems that keep Saildrone’s fleet running and support customer deliverables. We are responsible for APIs, authentication and authorization, automated drone configuration, fleet monitoring, and other core infrastructure. We focus on delivering reliable, scalable, and secure systems that empower Saildrone’s global autonomous fleet and enable mission-critical operations in real-world maritime environments.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Platform Architecture: Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of core platform services to achieve peak stability and scalability for Saildrone’s global fleet.

• System Ownership: Be accountable for foundational systems including customer-facing APIs, AuthN/AuthZ, and automated drone configuration.

• Project Orchestration: Own and drive complex, multi-team projects from conception to production, making critical architectural decisions that impact the broader software stack.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Autonomy and Infrastructure teams to integrate platform services, ensuring alignment between onboard telemetry and cloud-based deliverables.

• API & Infrastructure Development: Carry out the development of REST APIs and event-driven microservices using AWS (Lambda, SNS/SQS) and Python/TypeScript.

• Database & Data Lifecycle: Monitor for performance bottlenecks in relational databases (PostgreSQL), taking action to optimize queries and manage the data lifecycle for mission-critical services.

• Security & Observability: Adhere to established standards for OAuth/OIDC security and automated deployment, ensuring consistent monitoring and observability across the platform.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.

• 8+ years of professional software development experience, including a proven track record of leading complex, multi-team projects.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript, with a deep understanding of software design patterns and event-driven architectures.

• Proven ability to make high-stakes architectural decisions and solve complex problems in high-ambiguity, fast-paced environments.

• Ability to clearly communicate technical vision and tradeoffs to both executive leadership and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment onsite in Alameda, CA at least 3 days per week to support hardware-software integration.

• Working knowledge of Cloud Infrastructure (AWS), container orchestration (Kubernetes), and authentication protocols (OAuth, OIDC).

• Experience with infrastructure automation (Ansible) and low-latency communication protocols (gRPC/Protobuf) is 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**$189,000—$243,000 USD**
To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy.

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.