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 Manufacturing Engineer to join our Production team. Reporting directly to the Sr. Manager
• Manufacturing Engineering, you will play a critical role in scaling the production of our Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) while maintaining quality, efficiency, and repeatability. We are looking for a skilled individual who drives process improvements, implements lean practices, and collaborates closely with production teams to turn complex designs into high-quality, mission-ready vehicles.

THE TEAM

The Production team is responsible for turning Saildrone’s cutting-edge designs into reliable, deployable vehicles. We focus on lean, repeatable manufacturing processes that support prototype builds, first-article validation, and high-mix production to enable global mission success. Your work directly impacts throughput, quality, and Saildrone’s ability to scale and innovate.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lean Production Flow: Implement and optimize lean manufacturing processes—including 5S, Visual Management, Plan-for-Every-Part (PFEP), workstation design, and kitting—to achieve high-efficiency production flows in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

• Process Documentation: Be accountable for the integration of hardware and software design changes into the production system by updating work instructions, mBOMs, and process documentation with a high degree of responsiveness.

• Quality Assurance: Develop and execute quality control inspections and tests to ensure consistent, mission-ready outputs that meet established maritime and customer standards.

• Capacity Balancing: Define and validate standard process times to balance workloads across workstations and technicians, ensuring production targets are met during new product launches and capacity acceleration phases.

• Technical Support & Triage: Monitor for assembly line blockers and inefficiencies, taking action to directly troubleshoot issues, collaborate closely with technicians, and unblock production to ensure tactical daily goals are met.

• Vertical Integration: Lead projects to improve operational speed and reduce costs by identifying strategic in-sourcing opportunities, implementing automation, and deploying advanced tooling.

• Design Feedback (DFM/DFA): Work closely with Design Engineering during prototype and first-article builds to provide actionable DFM and DFA feedback, ensuring new products are optimized for scalable production.

• Virtual Factory Integrity: Adhere to established "virtual factory" procedures—including Work Orders, inventory moves, and kitting—while proactively identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities in collaboration with production teams.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field).

• 5+ years of engineering experience supporting production activities, including ownership of production systems, workstations, and process development in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI), including executing product launches through capacity acceleration and production ramp.

• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, production system design, and process optimization.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, including experience working directly with technicians and shop-floor teams.

• Ability to work on-site in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

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**$132,500—$172,200 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.