Product Manager, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Saildrone is seeking a Product Manager – Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to join our Product Team. Reporting directly to the VP of Program delivery, you will play a critical role in defining and delivering our end-to-end ISR product stack—from onboard sensor strategy to data fusion, APIs, and user-facing mission tools. Your work will directly shape how defense and national security customers achieve persistent maritime domain awareness using autonomous systems. We are looking for a mission-driven product leader who thrives in operational environments, translates real-world watch floor workflows into clear product requirements, and independently drives execution in a fast-paced, defense-focused organization.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in product management, mission operations, or defense-focused roles, with demonstrated ownership of products from concept through deployment and scale.
• Experience operating in or directly supporting maritime operations centers or ISR watch floors.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing clear product requirements for hardware-software integrated systems, including data pipelines, analytics, and user interfaces.
• Proven ability to synthesize customer feedback, analyze complex mission workflows, and make informed product tradeoffs in ambiguous environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate strategy, requirements, and priorities to engineering teams and executive stakeholders.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance required at time of hire.
• Ability to work full-time onsite in Alameda, CA, with up to 25% travel to customer locations and operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the product strategy and roadmap for Saildrone’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) product line, aligning long-term vision with operational mission needs and emerging threats.
• Own end-to-end ISR product definition, including sensor selection guidance, data capture, fusion and processing requirements, and user-facing features across UI and API layers.
• Translate customer watch floor workflows and operational requirements into clear, prioritized engineering requirements, wireframes, and technical specifications.
• Be accountable for product outcomes, including usability, mission impact, performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Work closely with Engineering, Technical Program Managers, Hardware and Software leadership to align roadmaps, manage tradeoffs, and deliver capabilities on schedule.
• Embed with customers and internal mission teams to capture the voice of the user, identify capability gaps, and continuously refine product direction.
• Support Business Development by contributing to RFIs/RFPs, technical proposals, and early-stage customer engagements.
• Provide clear updates on roadmap status, risks, and tradeoffs to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Perform all responsibilities in alignment with Saildrone’s values, security requirements, and operational standards

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed