Senior Systems Engineer

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 Senior Systems Engineer will establish Saildrone’s Systems Engineering organization, responsible for defining, integrating, and validating the complex interplay between hardware, firmware, software, electrical, and mission systems that power Saildrone’s autonomous surface vehicles (USVs). Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, this role ensures all technical systems function as a cohesive, mission-ready platform that meets performance, reliability, and compliance requirements.
This is a critical position at the intersection of technology, operations, and mission success. The Senior Systems Engineer will be 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 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.

Responsibilities

Systems Engineering Leadership

• Lead and grow the Systems Engineering team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Own the definition, documentation, and maintenance of system-level architectures, requirements, and interfaces across Saildrone’s fleet and mission systems.
• Ensure that design decisions align with platform performance objectives, safety requirements, and program priorities.

Integration & Validation

• Oversee system integration activities spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and
  networked components.
• Lead system verification and validation campaigns, including lab, dockside, and at- sea testing.
• Determine relevant and governing requirements for compliance or performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Mechanical, Firmware, Software, and Electrical Engineering teams to ensure full system cohesion and traceability.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Project Managers to ensure timely delivery of Technical Projects, ensuring sufficient staffing to meet technical objectives.

Architecture & Requirements Management

• Define and maintain system architectures and documentation to ensure clarity of interfaces and dependencies.
• Own the system requirements process, from decomposition to traceability and verification, ensuring consistency across subsystems.

Process Excellence & Compliance

• Establish and maintain configuration control and change management processes across systems engineering activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry, defense, and safety standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in documentation, test planning, and engineering review processes.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of systems engineering experience, including leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Proven track record delivering complex integrated systems in defense, aerospace, or maritime domains.
• Strong understanding of systems architecture, requirements management, integration, and verification.
• Experience with MBSE tools, system modeling, and configuration management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-growth, mission-driven environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to operational excellence, safety, and reliability.

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:

• Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave
• Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching.
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Stock Options
• Annual stipend for continued learning and development
• Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!)
• Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card

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

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