Senior Manager, Technical Operations Engineer

Saildrone
Saildrone

IT, Operations

Alameda, CA, USA

USD 190k-260k / year + Equity

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

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 Manager, Technical Operations Engineer, to join our Fleet Operations Team. Reporting directly to the VP, Fleet Operations, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and readiness of Saildrone’s autonomous surface vehicles across their full lifecycle; from research and development, production, through global deployments, in all operating environments. We are looking for a leader who has a proven track record of independently driving execution in a fast-paced and multi-disciplinary environment.

THE TEAM

The Technical Operations team provides first line remote technical support to ensure Saildrone’s autonomous systems perform reliably in the world’s most demanding maritime environments. We partner with Engineering, Production, and Operations to bridge design and deployment, accelerate product iteration, and deliver resilient systems that support national security, maritime intelligence, and science exploration missions.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead a high performing team of Technical Operations Engineers, providing fleet overwatch to achieve 24/7 mission success, managing on-call rotations and prioritizing timely incident response across multiple fleets.
  • Be accountable for the Technical Operations team to drive technical resolutions for reliability incidents and quality events. Working with several other departments across the organization and senior management to identify and mitigate issues encountered in the field.
  • Apply systems engineering principles to conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) across complex, interconnected environments, translating system data into high-leverage operational improvements.
  • Adhere to engineering standards and operational protocols, while driving the evolution of fleet operations through long-term hardware fixes and software optimizations.
  • Provide timely updates on fleet health, incidents, and data-backed narratives to executive leadership to support rapid strategic decision-making.
  • Manage Fleet of Engineering Development Drones, processing R&D requests testing and validating both hardware and software changes.
  • Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and engineering excellence, building and scaling a world-class team capable of operating defense-grade autonomous systems at scale.
  • Meet commitments to build a high-performing team by recruiting and mentoring talent for growth, fostering a culture of rapid iteration, technical reliability, and operational readiness.
  • Perform all responsibilities in accordance with company values, safety expectations, quality standards, and ethical guidelines.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Robotics, Software, Aerospace) or a related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in engineering leadership or lead roles, with a proven track record of managing teams supporting complex hardware, robotics, or autonomous systems.
  • Working knowledge of autonomous system payloads and the ability to make critical, high-impact decisions under pressure in a 24/7 environment.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in embedded systems and network architecture, including familiarity with common communication protocols (TCP/IP, CAN bus, RS-485, RS-232, SPI, I2C) and system-level debugging.
  • Comfortable navigating Linux systems via the command line (CLI) to investigate system states and run basic diagnostics.
  • Ability to clearly communicate complex technical failures into clear narratives for cross-functional partners and executive leadership.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Physical Strength & Agility: Ability to lift/move up to 30 lbs. and maintain physical activity (bending, kneeling, standing) throughout a full shift.
  • Manual Precision: High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe operation of power tools and precision assembly and repairs.
  • Environmental Adaptability: Comfortable working in challenging settings, including confined spaces, heights, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions including high heat, cold, and wind.
  • Safety & PPE: Ability to work around industrial materials while strictly adhering to PPE requirements, including respirators and eye/ear protection as needed.
  • Travel: Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally up to15% of the time, which includes renting and operating motor vehicles.
  • Schedule: Must be able to cover occasional gaps in the 24/7 on call rotation schedule when other team members are not available.

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
$190,000—$260,000 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.

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