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 Surveyor Fleet Manager to join our Surveyor Fleet Team. Reporting directly to the Surveyor Fleet Director, you will play a critical role in managing the global fleet of surveyor vehicles, supporting commissioning, deployments, recoveries, and on-going maintenance to ensure high mission uptime. We are looking for a skilled leader who has a proven track record of independently driving execution in a fast-paced maritime environment and can establish regional operating locations with a focus on flexibility and ease of access.

THE TEAM

The Surveyor Fleet Team is responsible for the end-to-end operational readiness and logistics of Saildrone’s largest vehicle class. We are focused on delivering robust and scalable solutions for global maritime missions to maintain a high level of vehicle uptime and on-time deployments, operating in a complex national security and defense environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fleet Performance: Manage Saildrone’s fleet of Surveyor vehicles to achieve high levels of uptime (>70%) and on-time deployments, while meeting all maritime safety and customer mission standards.

• Operational Accountability: Be accountable for the yearly operating budget and mission profitability, including ownership of monthly budget-to-actual spend analysis and the identification of regional forward operating locations to protect Saildrone’s interests.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with Program Management, Technical Operations, Finance, and Logistics to align on mission planning, vehicle assembly, insurance coverage, and ITAR-compliant international shipping to ensure successful delivery of shared goals.

• On-Water Leadership: Oversee Fleet Captains in the day-to-day management of drones during launch and recovery—using specialized tow procedures and dockside management—to ensure the safety of the vehicle and support resources.

• Risk & Response Management: Monitor for fleet performance issues and blockers, take action to coordinate emergency Surveyor recoveries based on sea state complexity, and escalate technical risks to support root cause analysis.

• Standards & Compliance: Adhere to and establish maritime SOPs, training materials, and safety protocols regarding vehicle handling, marine services, and equipment to improve operational scalability and safety.

• Reporting & Forecasting: Provide timely updates on drone performance status (uptime and utilization) to leadership and provide cross-functional teams with workload estimation and forecasts for fleet scheduling and staffing.

• Organizational Scaling: Establish a culture of precision and operational discipline; build the technical leadership bench and recruit high-caliber maritime and technical talent to meet business growth and global expansion targets.

THE QUALIFICIATIONS

• Licensed Captain preferred, with formal Bachelor degree in Marine Transportation/Engineering or equivalent training in maritime operations as required for regulatory and safety reasons.

• 15+ years of experience in the maritime industry, performing work related to fleet management, vessel operations, or marine logistics.

• Demonstrated proficiency in vehicle handling, deployments, and recoveries required to perform global Surveyor fleet operations.

• Proven ability to manage emergency recoveries and troubleshoot complex logistical problems in situations involving high sea states, remote locations, and time pressure.

• Ability to clearly communicate mission feasibility studies and drone performance status to Program Managers, cross-functional partners, and customers.

• Ability to work effectively in a field-heavy environment, including the ability to travel as much as 60% to support fleet health and mission capability.

• Working knowledge of international shipping regulations and ITAR relevant to global maritime operations and logistics.

• Commitment to safety with a proven history of maintaining a "Zero Injuries" record.

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**$115,100—$212,000 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.