Vice President, Fleet Operations
Saildrone
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 Vice President of Fleet Operations to join our Operations organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a critical role in leading the global management of our uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and scaling global operations to support revenue growth and customer outcomes. The Vice President of Fleet Operations is responsible for the end-to-end readiness of the entire Saildrone fleet, from commissioning of new vehicles, launch & deployment of customer missions, through 24/7 overwatch and field service keeping vehicles operating in some of the most challenging locations. We are looking for a senior operational leader who creates clarity from complexity and drives execution in high-stakes environments to deliver reliable results at global scale.
THE TEAM
The Fleet Operations organization is responsible for the planning, deployment, and real-time operation of Saildrone’s global USV fleet. We focus on delivering safe, reliable, and scalable maritime operations to support critical missions across defense, security, and commercial applications. This team operates in a 24/7, globally distributed environment, working closely with Fleet Managers, Technical Engineering Operations, Logistics, Shore Operations, Field Service, and Commissioning teams to ensure mission readiness, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Fleet Strategy & Performance Ownership: Be accountable for fleet utilization, sizing, and commissioning, including ownership of uptime, MTTR, cost efficiency, & utilization rates. Critical KPI’s include drone utilization, uptime, readiness, cost of service, and general operating costs of labor.
- Customer & Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with Customer Success & Program Management teams to deliver contracted missions on time, within budget, and to defined performance and quality standards.
- Operational Systems & Processes: Carry out day-to-day operations through the technical operations, shore operations, logistics, and field service systems to meet responsiveness, return-to-mission, and operational readiness targets.
- Risk, Escalation & Incident Management: Monitor for operational, technical, and regulatory risks; mitigate incidents, manage escalation paths, and resolve critical mission blockers to minimize downtime, safety exposure, and customer impact. Manage global support operations for 24/7 service & overwatch.
- Safety, Compliance & Standardization: Establish and enforce safety protocols, regulatory compliance (including maritime and export controls), and standardized operational practices to improve safety outcomes, reliability, and scalability across global operations. Establish standard operating footprints across international site locations.
- Operational Intelligence & Reporting: Provide timely updates on fleet performance, mission feasibility, capacity constraints, utilization forecasts, and customer delivery metrics to executive leadership to support strategic planning and resource allocation.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of experience in maritime, defense, aerospace, robotics, or complex technical operations, performing leadership roles in mission-critical environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing large-scale technical fleets or systems, including commissioning, lifecycle management, and operational scaling against defined performance metrics.
- Proven ability to optimize operational performance, manage budgets or P&L, and deliver measurable improvements in uptime, cost, and mission outcomes.
- Strong understanding of maritime systems, vehicle lifecycle management, logistics, and operational technologies across design, manufacturing, deployment, and service.
- Proven ability to analyze complex operational challenges, manage escalations, and make high-impact decisions in ambiguous, time-critical situations.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical, operational, and strategic information to cross-functional teams, executive stakeholders, and customer-facing partners.
- Ability to lead global, 24/7 operational teams and operate effectively in high-risk, safety-critical, and geographically distributed environments.
- Working knowledge of maritime regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements, including familiarity with seamanship, port operations, and international logistics.
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.
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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 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.