Senior Systems Engineer

About this role

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

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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…