THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking a Facilities Maintenance Specialist to join our Facilities team. Reporting to the Director of Facilities, you will play a critical role in maintaining uptime across our Alameda HQ by ensuring facility systems, manufacturing equipment, and material handling assets operate reliably and safely, minimizing disruption to production and R&D. We are looking for a skilled, hands-on operator who takes ownership of the physical workspace, moves quickly to resolve issues, and consistently drives execution in a dynamic, hardware-focused environment.

THE TEAM

The Facilities team is responsible for maintaining and improving Saildrone’s physical infrastructure, equipment, and work environment. We support manufacturing, R&D, and corporate operations by delivering safe, reliable, and scalable facility systems. Our work enables continuous operation of mission-critical systems in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on facility infrastructure and specialized equipment—including forklifts, boom lifts, boat lifts, pumps, and compressors—to ensure high uptime and operational continuity.
• Be accountable for the inbound facilities request system, including triaging and executing tasks ranging from minor electrical and plumbing repairs to carpentry, patching, and painting.
• Work closely with the Director of Facilities and cross-functional teams to align on task prioritization, event setups (all-hands meetings), and workspace improvements.
• Carry out day-to-day maintenance of office and shop environments, including furniture assembly, equipment installation, and stocking essential supplies (filters, ergonomic equipment, and office consumables).
• Monitor for infrastructure risks or equipment failures, take immediate corrective action, and escalate to management when system thresholds or safety constraints are exceeded.
• Adhere to and contribute to safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), ensuring a compliant and high-standard work environment.
• Coordinate and oversee work performed by external service providers, ensuring janitorial, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and data cabling vendors meet Saildrone’s quality and timing standards.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Trade certification, license, or formal apprenticeship in electrical, mechanical, or a related field is highly preferred for safety and business continuity.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing and/or R&D environment, performing high-level facility and equipment maintenance.
• Demonstrated proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing diverse systems including HVAC, plumbing, minor electrical, and heavy material handling equipment (forklifts, lifts, and transport vehicles).
• Proven ability to diagnose mechanical and electrical issues and make decisive repairs in a fast-paced environment involving time pressure and production deadlines.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical status updates and project progress to managers, internal stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Ability to work effectively in manufacturing and shop environments, including the flexibility to manage after-hours support or overtime when mission-critical issues arise.
• Working knowledge of safety standards (LOTO, JHA Risk Matrices) and experience participating in Safety Committees or Emergency Response Teams.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift/move up to 75 lbs and maintain physical activity (bending, kneeling, standing, climbing, and reaching) throughout a full shift.
• High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe, prolonged operation of power tools, testing equipment, and precision mechanical assembly.
• Comfort working in challenging settings, including confined spaces, working at heights, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work around industrial materials (dust, fumes, adhesives) while strictly adhering to PPE requirements, including respirators and eye/ear protection.