Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering

Internal Application : Head of Engineering

Engineering | Alameda, CA | Full Time | From $250,000 to $350,000 per year

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 Engineering will lead Saildrone’s engineering organization, overseeing Hardware, Software, Firmware, Electrical Engineering, Technical Program Management (TPM), Systems engineering, Security, and Change Management. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will provide operational leadership to a multidisciplinary team of approximately 100 engineers.

This is a critical senior leadership position responsible for understanding the technical vision set by the CEO, translating it into key requirements, defining engineering priorities, and ensuring that projects and key deliverables are executed to the highest standards of quality and timeliness. The Head of Engineering will work closely with cross‑functional leaders to align engineering initiatives with Saildrone’s mission and business objectives.

Having full budget responsibility for the company‑wide engineering organization, the Head of Engineering will manage that organization to a mutually agreed budget and timeline, ensuring teams are adequately resourced, trained and tasked appropriately to achieve engineering deliverables.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing large, diverse engineering teams in a fast‑paced, high‑growth technology environment, ideally within the defense, aerospace, or maritime sectors. They must be a hands‑on leader capable of balancing strategic oversight with deep technical engagement, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and execution.

Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary engineering team of ~100 engineers across Hardware, Software, Firmware, Electrical Engineering, TPM, and Change Management.
• Execute the engineering organization’s strategic direction, goals, and priorities in alignment with ongoing mission support, new functionality, and wider company objectives.
• Drive technical excellence and innovation across all engineering disciplines.

Program & Project Delivery

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Talent Development & Team Building

Operational Excellence

Required Skills and Experience

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.

The salary range for the role is $250,000-$350,000 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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