Mission Controller

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

With more than 2 million nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone has earned the trust of governments worldwide. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deliver continuous, real-time intelligence in the toughest oceans on Earth—giving our partners faster awareness, stronger security, and a decisive edge at sea.

Our USVs are long-range, extreme-endurance platforms powered by advanced sensors and proprietary AI - they have been designed to operate where no crewed vessel can. They collect critical insights above and below the surface to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection.

Headquartered in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington, DC, and global deployment hubs, Saildrone operates missions worldwide. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and defense technology—where data turns into intelligence, and intelligence drives action.

The Role

Saildrone is seeking qualified Mission Control Managers to collaborate with the existing Mission Control Manager team based out of Saildrone's HQ in Alameda CA. The Saildrone Mission Control Manager’s primary responsibilities are to plan the operational on- the-water aspects of a diverse set of missions. Monitoring vehicle performance and vehicle health, communicating both internally and externally in service to our customers.

Mission Control Managers are positioned at a crucial crossroads in the organization, communicating mission objectives and technical expertise and to several stakeholders. Candidates can expect their day to day work to be spent on the forefront of industry leading autonomous vehicle operations worldwide.

Responsibilities

Mission readiness

• Assess mission feasibility in partnership with Program Delivery and Sales teams
• Saildrone POC for local maritime authorities, Coast Guard, Vessel Traffic, and Port captains.
• Manage Reserves and Sanctuaries access permissions and special reporting.
• Assist customers with routing suggestions to optimize mission outcomes
• Manage customer communications on Saildrone’s mission portal, routing and concept of operations (CONOPS), and connecting technical issues to internal SMEs
• Participate in regular customer meetings and provide customer training when appropriate
• Actively develop and refine process documentation integral to Mission Control operations

Fleet execution

Cross functional partnership

Required Skills and Experience

Desired Skills and Experience

Physical Requirements

Location : This position is in Washington, DC.

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 :

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $90,180-$134,730 annually.

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, and relevant experience, among other factors.

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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