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, Electrical Engineering to join our Hardware Engineering organization. Reporting to the Vice President of Hardware, you will lead the design, validation, and lifecycle ownership of electrical systems that power and control Saildrone’s autonomous fleet. Your work will directly impact vehicle reliability, mission endurance, and the scalability of Saildrone’s global operations. We are looking for a technical leader who brings deep electrical systems expertise, creates clarity across complex hardware architectures, and builds high-performing teams that deliver robust, production-ready designs in demanding maritime environments.

THE TEAM

The Electrical Engineering team is responsible for the architecture, design, and sustainment of power systems, electronics, and embedded hardware across Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles. We focus on delivering resilient, high-performance electrical platforms that enable persistent maritime domain awareness, operating in a national security and defense environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Power Systems Leadership: Lead the design and production of electrical systems—including solar generation, battery storage (charge/discharge), and distribution—to achieve high mission endurance and vehicle reliability standards.

• Technical Roadmap & Architecture: Be accountable for the electrical architecture and technical roadmap, ensuring balance between performance, cost, and low-EMI design to protect sensitive onboard sensors.

• Cross-Functional System Delivery: Work closely with Mechanical, Firmware, and Vehicle Harnessing teams to align on hardware interfaces and ensure the seamless integration of PCBs into production-ready marine platforms.

• CAD & Design Strategy: Oversee all PCB design efforts using Altium, providing technical guidance on libraries, documentation, and release processes to maintain a single source of truth for hardware.

• Protocol & Interface Standards: Carry out the implementation of communication architectures (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, Serial) in accordance with maritime and defense reliability standards to ensure robust data flow.

• Validation & Compliance: Adhere to and establish rigorous testing and validation protocols—meeting MIL-STD, IPC, and ABS requirements—to minimize field failures in contested maritime environments.

• Sustaining & Obsolescence: Monitor for component obsolescence and field performance risks, taking action to resolve hardware defects and drive continuous improvement across the global fleet.

• Team Leadership: Build and mentor technical contributors to continuously improve team effectiveness. Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, and engineering excellence. Recruit, retain, and develop world-class talent in a highly competitive market.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of experience designing complex electrical systems and PCB-based hardware.

• 5+ years of experience leading and developing engineering teams.

• Deep expertise in power systems, including AC/DC generation, distribution, batteries, and charging architectures.

• Advanced experience in PCB design across high-power and embedded systems.

• Proven ability to lead technical decisions across cross-functional hardware and software interfaces.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environments.

• Experience in maritime, aerospace, or defense systems is 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**$199,000—$256,500 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.