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34 Saildrone Systems Engineer Jobs Hiring Near You

Saildrone

Senior Systems Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Saildrone's manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business ... THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Engineering organization.

Saildrone

Senior Systems Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$121K - $165K/yr

Saildrone's manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business ... THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Engineering organization.

Saildrone

Facilities Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... System Engineering Support: Provide mechanical and electrical engineering support for all ...

Saildrone

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $260K/yr

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... Reporting to the Director of Firmware Engineering, you'll be leading the definition, design, and ...

Saildrone

Staff Software Engineer, Perception

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $270K/yr

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Perception, you will play a critical role in enabling real ...

Saildrone

Technical Operations Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$78K - $106K/yr

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... We are looking for a systems-minded engineer who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly from problem ...

Saildrone

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $260K/yr

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... Reporting to the Director of Firmware Engineering, you'll be leading the definition, design, and ...

Saildrone

Senior Software Engineer, Robotics

Alameda, CA · On-site

$176K - $226K/yr

THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to join our Core Vehicle Systems team. You will play a critical role in integrating new sensors and hardware subsystems into our ...

Saildrone

Staff Software Engineer, Security

Alameda, CA · On-site

$189K - $243K/yr

Our engineers change hats often - some days you're writing new security systems, others you're ... THE TEAM The Security team protects Saildrone's fleet, systems, and customer data across our global ...

Saildrone

Staff Software Engineer, Perception

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $270K/yr

... Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force ... Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Perception, you will play a critical role in enabling real ...

Saildrone

Senior Software Engineer, Robotics

Alameda, CA · On-site

$176K - $226K/yr

THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to join our Core Vehicle Systems team. You will play a critical role in integrating new sensors and hardware subsystems into our ...

Saildrone

Staff Software Engineer, Security

Alameda, CA · On-site

$189K - $243K/yr

Our engineers change hats often - some days you're writing new security systems, others you're ... THE TEAM The Security team protects Saildrone's fleet, systems, and customer data across our global ...

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Infographic showing various Systems Engineer job openings at Saildrone in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Senior Systems Engineer

Saildrone

Alameda, CA • On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

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 Systems Engineer to join our Engineering organization. Reporting directly to the VP of Hardware, you will establish and lead Saildrone's systems engineering function, ensuring hardware, software, firmware, and mission systems operate as a cohesive, mission-ready platform. Your work will directly impact vehicle performance, reliability, and the successful deployment of autonomous systems at sea. We are looking for a technical leader who brings systems-level rigor, creates clarity across complex architectures, and drives disciplined execution across multidisciplinary teams in fast-moving, mission-critical environments. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in systems engineering and program execution within the defense, aerospace, or maritime industries. They must be a strategic yet hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and can lead multidisciplinary teams through complex technical challenges with clarity, precision, and rigor.
THE TEAM
The Systems Engineering function is responsible for technical leadership of key R&D programs, establishing clear system-level requirements and interfaces at the onset, ensuring technical progress and coordination for the duration, then leading the test phase to verify system performance against the pre-defined requirements and goals. They will partner closely with Hardware, Firmware, Security, Software, and Project Management teams to ensure delivery of robust, scalable, and high-performance systems.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Architecture & Rigor: Define and maintain system architectures and interface control documents (ICDs) to achieve high platform reliability and performance across hardware, firmware, and software domains.
  • Requirements Decomposition: Be accountable for the full system requirements lifecycle-from decomposition to traceability and verification-ensuring all subsystems align with pre-defined mission goals and performance metrics.
  • Program Leadership: Lead the technical execution of key R&D programs, ensuring technical progress across multidisciplinary teams from project onset through final sea trials.
  • Cross-Functional Handoffs: Work closely with Hardware, Firmware, and Security teams to align on staffing needs, project dependencies, and interface definitions to ensure the successful delivery of technical milestones.
  • Verification & Validation (V&V): Execute comprehensive verification campaigns-including lab, dockside, and at-sea testing-to confirm system performance against governing defense and maritime safety standards.
  • Configuration & Change Management: Adhere to and establish rigorous configuration control and change management processes to prevent technical debt and ensure system-level safety in fast-moving development cycles.
  • Risk & Compliance Management: Monitor for system integration gaps and governing compliance risks, taking action to resolve technical blockers and escalate when program safety or performance thresholds are exceeded.
  • Function Building: Meet commitments to build and scale the systems engineering team, recruiting world-class talent and establishing the MBSE tools and standards necessary for global fleet expansion.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering discipline.
  • 12+ years of experience in systems engineering, including leadership of complex, multidisciplinary programs.
  • Proven experience delivering integrated systems in defense, aerospace, maritime, robotics, or autonomy domains.
  • Deep understanding of systems architecture, requirements engineering, integration, and verification methodologies.
  • Experience with MBSE tools, system modeling, and configuration management practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to make technical decisions in environments with high complexity, ambiguity, and time pressure.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to operate effectively across lab, field, and operational environments.

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
$176,400-$226,800 USD
To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy-policy.
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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