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 Electrical Engineer to join our Hardware team. Reporting directly to the VP of Hardware, you will play a critical role in architecting and delivering the mission-critical embedded hardware that powers our autonomous fleet in the world's harshest maritime environments. We are looking for a technical expert who creates clarity from ambiguity and possesses a "first-principles" engineering mindset—someone who can pivot seamlessly from high-level system architecture to hands-on, component-level troubleshooting to ensure our robots survive and thrive at sea.

THE TEAM

The Hardware team is responsible for the end-to-end design, integration, and deployment of the core electrical and mechatronic systems across Saildrone’s fleet. We are focused on delivering robust, power-efficient, and scalable hardware platforms that enable long-endurance missions for global maritime domain awareness to provide real-time access to critical ocean data, operating in a national security and defense environment. Our work directly impacts ocean science and national security, requiring a team that thrives on rapid hardware iteration and uncompromising reliability in demanding offshore environments.

The Responsibilities

• Perform architectural design of embedded electrical systems—including power distribution, SOC-based compute clusters, and sensor ingress—to meet stringent performance and ultra-low power budget targets.
• Be accountable for the full hardware lifecycle, including ownership of high-density PCB layout in Altium, board bring-up, validation, and transition to full-scale commercial production.
• Work closely with firmware, software, mechanical, and product teams to align on hardware abstraction layers and system requirements to ensure successful delivery of cohesive vehicle platforms.
• Carry out day-to-day work using advanced lab instrumentation—such as spectrum analyzers, ESD guns, signal generators, and high-speed differential probes—to prototype, debug, and validate hardware against established standards.
• Monitor for design risks, thermal bottlenecks, or EMI/EMC blockers; take decisive action to implement corrective hardware changes and escalate when schedule or quality thresholds are threatened.
• Adhere to established coding and design standards while contributing suggestions that improve the reliability, scalability, and manufacturability of mixed-signal hardware assemblies.
• Provide timely updates on progress, technical trade-offs, and architectural decisions to managers and cross-functional partners to support alignment on rapid hardware iterations.
• Meet commitments by managing assigned design priorities and proactively raising concerns when vehicle platforms diversify or hardware capacity risks change.
  
  

The Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• 5-8 years of experience in electronics design, with a proven track record of taking complex embedded systems from concept through to full commercial production.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Altium Designer (schematic and layout) for multi-layer PCB layout and the use of specialized test equipment like current injection clamps, field probes, and antennas.
• Proven ability to analyze and resolve complex system-level issues and make technical decisions in situations involving high ambiguity and harsh environmental constraints.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical architectural decisions and project status to technicians, firmware engineers, and production managers.
• Ability to work effectively in a professional lab and manufacturing environment, including the former airplane hangar used to film "The Matrix".
• Working knowledge of obtaining certifications such as FCC, UL Safety, CISPR, or IEC specifications for industrial or maritime equipment.
• Demonstrated skill in precision prototyping, including solder rework, cable harness fabrication (crimping/coax), and the application of shielding and filtering materials. Our team is very “hands-on” and we expect this role to be as well.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Manual Precision: High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe, prolonged operation of precision soldering tools, lab equipment, and small-scale assembly.
• Environmental Adaptability: Comfort working in challenging settings, including a large-scale hardware integration environment and occasionally supporting hardware integration on vehicles in proximity to water.
• Safety & PPE: Ability to work around industrial materials (solder fumes, adhesives, dust) while strictly adhering to PPE requirements.
  
  

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

$135,000—$159,000 USD

To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy.

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.