Software Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

3d • $210,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Saildrone is hiring a Software Engineer, Autonomous Systems to develop software that turns autonomy algorithms into reliable capabilities running on real maritime vehicles. The role spans Saildrone’s autonomy stack, applying software engineering and robotics expertise to perception, localization, planning, decision-making, and vehicle behavior. Work includes algorithm implementation, system integration, testing, and field validation for autonomous systems designed to operate for extended periods in challenging environments without continuous human intervention.

Requirements

• Strong C++ software engineering skills and experience building production-quality software.
• Hands-on experience developing software for autonomous systems, robotics, or other complex physical systems.
• Deep technical expertise in at least one autonomy area, such as perception, localization, state estimation, planning, navigation, controls, or decision-making.
• Strong understanding of algorithms and engineering tradeoffs relevant to autonomous systems.
• Experience integrating algorithms into larger software systems and debugging behavior using real-world data.
• Ability to reason about system behavior, performance, and reliability rather than treating algorithms as isolated components.
• Experience developing and validating software that ultimately runs on real hardware.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, maritime systems, or other safety- or mission-critical applications.
• Experience with real-time or resource-constrained systems.
• Experience taking autonomy software through simulation, hardware integration, and field testing.
• Experience with Python for analysis, experimentation, or tooling.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and deploy production autonomy software in C++.
• Develop and integrate algorithms for autonomous perception, localization, planning, navigation, decision-making, or vehicle behavior.
• Evaluate algorithmic approaches and balance accuracy, robustness, computational cost, latency, and reliability.
• Integrate autonomy software with sensors, vehicle systems, and other autonomous-system components.
• Use simulation, testing, telemetry, and real-world vehicle data to validate behavior and diagnose failures.
• Improve the robustness and performance of autonomous capabilities as they progress from development to fielded systems.
• Contribute to the architecture and evolution of Saildrone’s next-generation autonomy stack.

Benefits

• Competitive paid time off accrual, annual holiday schedule, and paid sick leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans with company contributions for employees and dependents.
• Equity grants.
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options.
• Annual professional development reimbursement program.
• Relocation assistance for eligible roles.

What This Job Offers

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