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 Tech Lead Manager: Build and Release who will lead our Build and Release team. Reporting to the Director of Software, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining our software build systems using Bazel, ensuring efficient and reliable build processes for our software projects. As a Software Build Systems Engineer, you will collaborate closely with development teams, DevOps engineers, and other stakeholders to optimize and streamline our build systems, enabling faster and more efficient software development and release cycles. You will split your time between hands-on development and leading a small engineering team (1-2 ICs) to ensure successful execution of a roadmap in alignment with other software teams and business objectives.

THE TEAM

The Software Infrastructure & Platform Engineering team is responsible for the systems and tooling that enable Saildrone’s software teams to build, test, and deploy reliable software at scale. We focus on delivering robust, efficient build and release pipelines that support autonomous systems operating in remote and high-stakes maritime environments. This team’s work directly impacts Saildrone’s ability to deliver real-time intelligence, maritime domain awareness, and mission-critical capabilities for government and commercial customers.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Bazel Architecture: Design, evolve, and maintain Bazel-based build systems to achieve industry-leading build speeds and reliability across the entire Saildrone software stack.

• Infrastructure Ownership: Own the performance and stability of build and release infrastructure, ensuring high developer productivity by eliminating bottlenecks through rigorous monitoring and optimization.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Software Engineering, DevOps, and TPMs to align on requirements and timelines, ensuring seamless integration of build systems with deployment workflows.

• Automation & Tooling: Execute day-to-day build automation and CI/CD pipeline management using Python, Bash, and modern DevOps tools in accordance with established engineering standards.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex technical blockers, including dependency management issues and compilation errors, implementing durable fixes to prevent recurrence.

• Standards & Documentation: Establish and document build standards, configurations, and best practices to ensure knowledge sharing and maintainable, high-quality code review processes.

• Strategic Communication: Provide technical guidance and roadmap updates to leadership, advocating for effective solutions that balance technical debt with business objectives.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, with hands-on experience designing or operating build systems. 1+ years of people leadership experience, including technical guidance, planning, and execution.

• Proven expertise with Bazel and modern build tooling in complex codebases.

• Strong understanding of software build processes, dependency management, and version control systems (e.g., Git).

• Proficiency in scripting or automation using Bash, Python, or similar languages.

• Experience with CI/CD systems and DevOps workflows.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical systems in environments with ambiguity and time constraints.

• Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts and tradeoffs to cross-functional partners.

• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, with on-site collaboration in Alameda, CA three days per week.

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**$176,400—$226,800 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.