Senior Vehicle Infrastructure Engineer

About Us

Saildrone is a maritime defense and oceanographic survey company creating a paradigm shift in how navies, law enforcement, governments, and commercial organizations obtain the real-time, accurate data required to monitor the maritime domain. Powered primarily by renewable wind and solar energy, Saildrone’s fleet of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) provides long-duration operations measured in months, not days. Saildrone USVs carry sophisticated sensors combined with proprietary AI algorithms to give a full picture of the maritime environment above and below the sea surface, supporting border protection, critical infrastructure security, and hydrographic survey. Saildrone has sailed more than 2,000,000 nautical miles from the High North to the Southern Ocean and spent over 50,000 days at sea in the harshest ocean conditions on the planet.

We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate missions worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services, autonomy, and AI. You will be part of a high-performing, multidisciplinary team delivering data, intelligence, and firepower for strategic superiority.

The Role

Infrastructure engineer working on our vehicle networking infrastructure. This is a generalist role covering networking and wireless communication management, Satellite comms integration, network segregation and security, and Test Engineering support. This position works closely with multi-functional engineering teams who are responsible for Saildrone’s vehicle and communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Operating System Configuration and Optimization: Architect and implement improvements to OS security, upgrade and deployment.
• Optimize and help us better utilize our satellite networked data. Lead latency optimization of data links.
• Operation and development of a Saildrone's systems by providing valuable feedback to internal teams.
• System Integration and Testing: Lead cross-functional teams to integrate hardware software and networking components. Write design documents and test plans for networking appliances and configurations.
• Operation and maintenance of Saildrone fleet assets, prototypes and associated instruments, sensors and equipment.
• Security and Data Protection: work with security team to advance access logging and security practices and improve access control usability.
• Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations, network designs, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Collaborate with software developers, Field Engineers, and on-call pilots.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5-10 years of relevant experience
• Expert Linux and linux networking skills
• Bash scripting, and Python or similar scripting
• Build automation and deployment experience
• Solid understanding of networking and multi-mode routing
• Demonstrated Technical Leadership of complex and cross-functional systems
• Board support package integration and bringup of new embedded linux computers.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Battery, electronics, or mechatronics experience
• NMEA or other marinized electronics experience
• Kernel module code integration, C debugging
• GNSS / INS expertise
• Camera or perception payload experience
• Nvidia embedded Jetpack module experience
• Experience with marine technology, autonomous systems, and ocean robotics
• Experience handing off new board bringup to production.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed on a computer and requires ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.

Location: This is a hybrid position in Alameda, CA working onsite 3 days per week. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda.

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
• Plenty of snacks in our 3 office locations
• Dog-friendly work environment

Catch up on the latest news about us:

The British Engineer Behind the US Navy’s High-tech Ocean Drones – The Times of London

Denmark to Field Unmanned Vessels for Monitoring Busy Shipping Routes – Defense News

Counter-drug Sea Drones Utilized by Navy as Trump Ramps Up Military Resources at the Border

Saildrone, Palantir Partner to Use AI to Streamline USV Manufacturing, Operations – Breaking Defense

An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle

USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings

TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone

Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.

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.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-LP1