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 Technical Operations engineer to join our Fleet Operations team. Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and readiness of Saildrone’s autonomous surface vehicles across their full lifecycle—from production through global deployment in environments ranging from the eye of a hurricane to the Arctic. We are looking for a systems-minded engineer who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly from problem to root cause, and translates real-world vehicle performance into actionable engineering and operational improvements.

THE TEAM

The Technical Operations team ensures Saildrone’s autonomous systems perform reliably in the world’s most demanding maritime environments. We partner with Engineering, Production, and Operations to bridge design and deployment, accelerate product iteration, and deliver resilient systems that support national security and maritime intelligence missions.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advanced Diagnostics: Resolve complex hardware, software, and networking issues using Linux command-line tools, telemetry, and shell scripting to ensure mission success.

• System Ownership: Own technical outcomes for assigned vehicles, including reliability, performance (SLIs/SLOs), and operational readiness.

• Root Cause Analysis: Lead deep-dive RCA for field failures; order causes by likelihood using imperfect datasets and drive corrective actions across design, process, and tooling.

• Embedded Collaboration: Embed with Engineering design teams to provide feedback on system architecture and help evaluate solutions via system integration testing.

• Global Deployment: Deploy globally (up to 50% travel) to lead vehicle preparation, troubleshooting, and mission execution, including the oversight of third-party contractors.

• Incident Response: Participate in on-call rotations to provide real-time troubleshooting for high-priority autonomous fleet incidents.

• Documentation & Training: Develop clear work instructions, process standards, and technical training to bridge the gap from prototype to scalable operation.

• Operational Maintenance: Maintain appropriate records and inventories while following and improving strict safety and work standards.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of experience supporting complex embedded systems, robotics, or autonomous hardware in production or field environments.

• Ability to independently interpret electrical diagrams/schematics and mechanical drawings to execute repairs and modifications.

• Hands-on experience with serial and network protocols (CAN, RS-485, RS-232, SPI, I2C, and TCP/IP).

• High comfort level with Linux OS and the ability to write/understand shell scripts for diagnostic tasks; experience with APIs is a plus.

• Familiarity with industry-standard CAD tools (e.g., Solidworks, NX, or Altium) to interpret design intent and suggest improvements.

• Willingness to support 50% domestic and international travel, work extended hours in marine environments, and work on your feet or at heights.

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs and execute safe operations in unfamiliar industrial environments.

• Proven ability to translate "messy" field data into clear, actionable reports for engineering and leadership.

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**$100,200—$130,200 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.