Senior Electrical Engineer

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Saildrone is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to join their Hardware team. Reporting directly to the VP of Hardware, this role is critical in architecting and delivering mission-critical embedded hardware for Saildrone's autonomous fleet, designed to operate in harsh maritime environments. The ideal candidate is a technical expert with a "first-principles" engineering mindset, capable of transitioning from high-level system architecture to hands-on, component-level troubleshooting to ensure the reliability of the robots at sea. The Hardware team is responsible for the end-to-end design, integration, and deployment of core electrical and mechatronic systems, focusing on robust, power-efficient, and scalable hardware platforms for long-endurance missions in global maritime domain awareness, supporting national security and defense. Their work directly impacts ocean science and national security, requiring a team that thrives on rapid hardware iteration and uncompromising reliability in demanding offshore environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• 5-8 years of experience in electronics design, with a proven track record of taking complex embedded systems from concept through to full commercial production.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Altium Designer (schematic and layout) for multi-layer PCB layout and the use of specialized test equipment like current injection clamps, field probes, and antennas.
• Proven ability to analyze and resolve complex system-level issues and make technical decisions in situations involving high ambiguity and harsh environmental constraints.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical architectural decisions and project status to technicians, firmware engineers, and production managers.
• Ability to work effectively in a professional lab and manufacturing environment, including the former airplane hangar used to film "The Matrix".
• Working knowledge of obtaining certifications such as FCC, UL Safety, CISPR, or IEC specifications for industrial or maritime equipment.
• Demonstrated skill in precision prototyping, including solder rework, cable harness fabrication (crimping/coax), and the application of shielding and filtering materials. Our team is very “hands-on” and we expect this role to be as well.

Responsibilities

• Perform architectural design of embedded electrical systems—including power distribution, SOC-based compute clusters, and sensor ingress—to meet stringent performance and ultra-low power budget targets.
• Be accountable for the full hardware lifecycle, including ownership of high-density PCB layout in Altium, board bring-up, validation, and transition to full-scale commercial production.
• Work closely with firmware, software, mechanical, and product teams to align on hardware abstraction layers and system requirements to ensure successful delivery of cohesive vehicle platforms.
• Carry out day-to-day work using advanced lab instrumentation—such as spectrum analyzers, ESD guns, signal generators, and high-speed differential probes—to prototype, debug, and validate hardware against established standards.
• Monitor for design risks, thermal bottlenecks, or EMI/EMC blockers; take decisive action to implement corrective hardware changes and escalate when schedule or quality thresholds are threatened.
• Adhere to established coding and design standards while contributing suggestions that improve the reliability, scalability, and manufacturability of mixed-signal hardware assemblies.
• Provide timely updates on progress, technical trade-offs, and architectural decisions to managers and cross-functional partners to support alignment on rapid hardware iterations.
• Meet commitments by managing assigned design priorities and proactively raising concerns when vehicle platforms diversify or hardware capacity risks change.

Benefits

• 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.
• Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.
• 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.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.
• 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.
• For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees