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Senior Mechanical Engineer
Saildrone
Alameda, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 12, 2025
About Us
At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth, 24/7/365, and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel. Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas—from sailing into the eye of a category 4 hurricane to obtain new data about how storms intensify, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, and counting fish biomass to inform sustainable fishery management, to mapping the ocean floor and reducing illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As a result of our work, Saildrone has been included on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, earned an Ocean Awards’ Innovation Award, won Best Tech For Good from the Timmy Awards, and was recognized by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism 50 list of the Top 50 Companies Kickstarting American Renewal. Our first-annual Atlantic hurricane mission with NOAA was included as one of The New York Times’ 21 Things That Happened for the First Time in 2021 and Popular Science's 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.
We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC, St. Petersburg, FL, and Fall River, MA, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, and Emerson Collective.
This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services and autonomous hardware. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary delivering high impact for humanity and future generations.
The Role
We are seeking a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to help lead the creation of new components, mechanisms and assemblies for our existing and under development vehicles. Mechanical Engineers are responsible for deriving system requirements, creating concepts, performing required hand calcs and testing, making CAD models and drawings and designing any tooling or fixturing needed to ensure parts are consistently built as the design intended.
Responsibilities
- Owns the design and development of complex electro mechanical parts and assemblies as well as any required tooling.
- May lead a small team of engineers in the development of a complex and embedded electro-mechanical system.
- Defines and communicates system level requirements across electrical, mechanical, and software disciplines.
- Develops system diagrams and models.
- Creates detailed 3d CAD models, maintains the bill of materials (BOM) and creates drawings.
- Reviews and performs calculations and test results.
- Maintains drafting standards and helps to improve the quality of work across the mechanical team.
- Is responsible for project completion from early conception through design and production.
- Supports scheduling efforts and coordinates with Project Managers.
- Collaborates with Electrical Engineering and reviews harness designs.
- Exemplifies technical excellence and be accountable for your work.
Required skills and experience
- 7+ years of hands-on, professional experience driving the design and development of mechanical components or systems within Marine, Aerospace, Automotive or related fields.
- Demonstrated understanding of mechanics, electrical circuits, fluid systems, and thermodynamics.
- Advanced experience designing for a variety of manufacturing processes such as welding, composite layups, CNC machining, sheet metal, castings, 3d printing and structural bonding.
- Basic shop skills - drilling, manual machining, bonding, welding
- Experience with CAD software packages and excellent fundamentals of mechanical design concepts (NX is used at Saildrone and experience with it is strongly preferred).
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (preferably mechanically focused) or equivalent field experience
- Strong ability to make accurate and effective engineering decisions
- Experience in a fast-paced R&D and manufacturing settings.
Desired skills and experience
- Domain expertise in one or more technical disciplines, manufacturing processes, or technologies.
- Experience leading a small team.
- Experience with multiple product launches.
- Experience working with fabrication shops and contract manufacturers.
- Proactive problem-solving skills.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to stand, walk, use hands to grasp, push and pull, bend, lift up to 50 lbs, and reach with your hands and arms. Must be able to perform work on a computer that requires ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.
Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda.
Benefits:
- Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave
- Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching.
- Company sponsored life insurance
- Stock Options
- Annual stipend for continued learning and development
- Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!)
- Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card
- Plenty of snacks in our 3 office locations
- Dog-friendly work environment
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $132,500-$172,200 annually.
Catch up on the latest news about us:
TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone
The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea – The New York Times
An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle
The Navy Is Using Robot Ships to Deter Human Smuggling out of Haiti – Defense One
How US Navy Experiments Could Get Drones Beyond Spying and Into Battle – Defense News
USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings
Saildrone’s First Aluminum Surveyor Autonomous Vessel Splashes Down for Navy Testing – TechCrunch
Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist
Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.
All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.
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