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 Sr Operations Quality Manager to join our Operations Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the day-to-day execution and continued maturation of our Quality Management System while ensuring every vehicle shipped meets the highest standards of reliability, traceability, and performance. As production volume increases and product complexity evolves, you will ensure our quality systems scale with the business—from supplier qualification through manufacturing, deployment, and fleet operations. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader who creates clarity from ambiguity, drives disciplined follow-through, and has a proven track record of independently executing in fast-paced hardware environments.

THE TEAM

The Operations Team is responsible for manufacturing, deploying, and sustaining Saildrone’s autonomous surface vehicles. We build and maintain the operational infrastructure required to support global maritime domain awareness in a national security and defense environment. Quality sits at the center of this effort—bridging manufacturing and field service to ensure issues are identified early, root causes are resolved thoroughly, and feedback loops are closed quickly. This role works across Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, and Technical Operations to maintain rigor as we scale.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mature and scale the Quality Management System (QMS): To support ISO9001 and/or AS9100D compliance, overseeing internal/external audits, documentation controls, and traceability systems to meet rigorous certification requirements.

• Establish and manage company-wide quality KPIs: (e.g., First Pass Yield, defect rate, cost of quality) and reporting dashboards to provide the Operations leadership team with clear visibility into production and fleet performance.

• Own the root cause analysis (RCCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes: Leading containment efforts and driving durable systemic improvements whenever quality escapes occur.

• Integrate quality gates across the full product lifecycle: From supplier qualification and incoming inspection through final assembly, deployment, and ongoing fleet support.

• Partner with Engineering on NPI quality planning: Supporting Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Reliability (DFR) initiatives while ensuring robust APQP/PPAP frameworks.

• Drive operational excellence through data: Applying Statistical Process Control (SPC), Lean principles, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, mitigate risks, and increase throughput.

• Collaborate with Technical Operations Engineers to analyze fleet performance trends and drone troubleshooting data, bridging the gap between field service and manufacturing to drive corrective actions upstream.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).

• 7+ years of progressive experience leading quality engineering or manufacturing quality teams within complex hardware environments (Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, or Robotics preferred).

• Direct experience operating within ISO9001 and/or AS9100D certification environments, including lead roles in audit readiness and documentation control systems.

• Demonstrated expertise in defect tracking, RCCA, CAPA, and statistical process control (SPC) within a manufacturing setting.

• Proven ability to analyze complex hardware failures and drive cross-functional alignment between Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production under time pressure.

• Experience implementing NPI quality frameworks such as APQP/PPAP and supporting DFM/DFR initiatives.

• Strong analytical skills with high proficiency in Excel (SQL and/or Python preferred).

• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and quality governance in regulated or defense-adjacent industries.

• Ability to work effectively in an on-site manufacturing environment in Alameda, CA, with the flexibility to travel as required.

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**$152,350—$192,100 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.