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Quality Technician
Saildrone
Quality Assurance
Alameda, CA, USA
USD 69,700-87,100 / year + Equity
Posted on Sep 26, 2025
About Us
Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme-endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. Insights that support border security, law enforcement, undersea infrastructure protection, hydrography, and naval power applications. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments across the planet and set the standard for cost-efficient maritime intelligence in the world's harshest environments.
We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate missions worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services, autonomy, and AI. You will be part of a high-performing, multidisciplinary team delivering data, intelligence, and firepower for strategic superiority.
The Role
Saildrone is seeking a highly organized, passionate individual to join our quality assurance team. As part of this team, you will perform incoming, in process, and final inspection of electro-mechanical assemblies for our autonomous surface vehicles. The inspection process will help baseline the company’s electro-mechanical design efforts and pave the way for production to meet customer demand. The Saildrone team is made up of extremely talented, hardworking, proactive, and hands-on individuals, operating in a very fast-paced and rewarding environment. We are looking to expand this team with like-minded individuals looking to make a mark in the ocean data industry.
In this role you will:
● The QA Technician reports to the Manager, Quality Programs, with the objective of maintaining high Quality Standards for product quality control and operational compliance. As part of this team, you will be responsible for performing inspections on complex parts and assemblies to ensure that they meet engineering specifications and tolerances.
● Conduct routine physical inspections & audits related to incoming materials, in-process assemblies, and finished assemblies following standardized process and procedures.
● Perform visual, measured, and dimensional inspection according to current specifications/procedures. Ensure all data is recorded and properly logged.
● Notify any product or process non-conformance and escalate as appropriate.
● Maintain knowledge of all procedures, change to specifications, and quality alerts related to their areas of responsibility.
● Support production and final assembly on defect awareness and specification requirements.
● Aid in problem solving, and support quality engineering in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
● Help implement and monitor corrective actions, both temporary and permanent.
Required skills and experience
● High-school diploma or GED plus three (3) years of on-the-job experience as an electronics or mechanical inspector in related disciplines.
● This role requires a technical skill set combined with solid soft skills.
● Proficient use of inspection tools or machinery (i.e. surface plate, thread gauges, pin gauges, micrometers, calipers etc..).
● Ability to read and interpret quality control specifications, drawings and engineering specifications including mechanical and electrical symbols and conventions, key, critical, major and minor characteristics.
● Able to identify/recognize inspection errors and nonconformances and initiate corrective action.
● Know basic quality terms, definitions and concepts.
● Know the difference between accuracy and precision and be able to select the appropriate measuring tools and techniques.
● Have basic calibration knowledge.
● Understand sample size requirements for lots and pulling random samples.
● Understand traceability (product, material and calibration).
Physical requirements
● Work requires the ability to be stationary for extended periods of time.
● Work requires the ability to transverse the manufacturing facility multiple times a day.
● Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting, walking, and reaching.
Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda.
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.
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 $69,700-$87,100 annually.
Catch up on the latest news about us:
The British Engineer Behind the US Navy’s High-tech Ocean Drones – The Times of London
Denmark to Field Unmanned Vessels for Monitoring Busy Shipping Routes – Defense News
Counter-drug Sea Drones Utilized by Navy as Trump Ramps Up Military Resources at the Border
Saildrone, Palantir Partner to Use AI to Streamline USV Manufacturing, Operations – Breaking Defense
An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle
USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings
TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone
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.
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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