Head of Software

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

The Head of Software will lead Saildrone’s software engineering organization, overseeing all our software efforts from actuator control to image processing to cloud data pipelines. Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, this role will provide operational leadership to Saildrone’s software teams and ensure that all software systems are delivered reliably, securely, and able to scale to support mission objectives.

This is a critical senior leadership position responsible for executing the Strategic Software Vision set by the Head of Engineering and CEO, translating it into actionable plans, defining requirements, and driving projects to successful completion. The Head of Software will partner closely with other engineering and organization leaders to ensure seamless integration across hardware, firmware, and systems while delivering to the highest standards of quality, timeliness, and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading large software teams in a fast-paced, high-growth technology environment, ideally within the autonomous systems, defense, aerospace, or maritime sectors. They must be a hands-on leader capable of balancing execution with technical oversight, while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and disciplined delivery.

Responsibilities

Software Leadership

• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams across Infrastructure, Cloud, Onboard Vehicle Software, Data, and Perception / ML.
• Execute the software strategic vision set by the CEO, aligning priorities with Saildrone’s mission and business objectives.
• Drive secure, high-quality engineering practices across all software domains.

Program & Project Delivery

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Talent Development & Team Building

Operational Excellence

Required Skills and Experience

Desired Skills and Experience

Physical Requirements

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 :

The salary range for this role is $201,100 - $266,500 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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