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 Staff Platform Engineer to join our team. Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, Platform, you will play a critical role in ensuring the stability, scalability, and reliability of the systems that power our fleet and customer-facing services. We are looking for a technical leader and hands-on engineer who drives clarity from ambiguity, leads complex projects across multiple teams, and delivers robust platform solutions that enable Saildrone’s rapid growth and operational success.

This role is required to be onsite in Alameda, CA in the Bay Area 3 days per week - this is our hybrid model. This is not a remote position.

THE TEAM

The Platform team manages the foundational systems that keep Saildrone’s fleet running and support customer deliverables. We are responsible for APIs, authentication and authorization, automated drone configuration, fleet monitoring, and other core infrastructure. We focus on delivering reliable, scalable, and secure systems that empower Saildrone’s global autonomous fleet and enable mission-critical operations in real-world maritime environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Platform Architecture: Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of core platform services to achieve peak stability and scalability for Saildrone’s global fleet.
• System Ownership: Be accountable for foundational systems including customer-facing APIs, AuthN/AuthZ, and automated drone configuration.
• Project Orchestration: Own and drive complex, multi-team projects from conception to production, making critical architectural decisions that impact the broader software stack.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Autonomy and Infrastructure teams to integrate platform services, ensuring alignment between onboard telemetry and cloud-based deliverables.
• API & Infrastructure Development: Carry out the development of REST APIs and event-driven microservices using AWS (Lambda, SNS/SQS) and Python/TypeScript.
• Database & Data Lifecycle: Monitor for performance bottlenecks in relational databases (PostgreSQL), taking action to optimize queries and manage the data lifecycle for mission-critical services.
• Security & Observability: Adhere to established standards for OAuth/OIDC security and automated deployment, ensuring consistent monitoring and observability across the platform.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience, including a proven track record of leading complex, multi-team projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript, with a deep understanding of software design patterns and event-driven architectures.
• Proven ability to make high-stakes architectural decisions and solve complex problems in high-ambiguity, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical vision and tradeoffs to both executive leadership and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment onsite in Alameda, CA at least 3 days per week to support hardware-software integration.
• Working knowledge of Cloud Infrastructure (AWS), container orchestration (Kubernetes), and authentication protocols (OAuth, OIDC).
• Experience with infrastructure automation (Ansible) and low-latency communication protocols (gRPC/Protobuf) is strongly preferred.

Location: This position is hybrid in Alameda, CA (Onsite 3 days per week required). 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

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $189,000 - $243,000 annually.

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

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.