Technical Operations Engineer

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

3d

About The Position

Saildrone is seeking a Technical Operations engineer to join our Fleet Operations team. Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and readiness of Saildrone’s autonomous surface vehicles across their full lifecycle—from production through global deployment in environments ranging from the eye of a hurricane to the Arctic. We are looking for a systems-minded engineer who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly from problem to root cause, and translates real-world vehicle performance into actionable engineering and operational improvements.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience supporting complex embedded systems, robotics, or autonomous hardware in production or field environments.
• Ability to independently interpret electrical diagrams/schematics and mechanical drawings to execute repairs and modifications.
• Hands-on experience with serial and network protocols (CAN, RS-485, RS-232, SPI, I2C, and TCP/IP).
• High comfort level with Linux OS and the ability to write/understand shell scripts for diagnostic tasks; experience with APIs is a plus.
• Familiarity with industry-standard CAD tools (e.g., Solidworks, NX, or Altium) to interpret design intent and suggest improvements.
• Willingness to support 50% domestic and international travel, work extended hours in marine environments, and work on your feet or at heights.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs and execute safe operations in unfamiliar industrial environments.
• Proven ability to translate "messy" field data into clear, actionable reports for engineering and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Diagnostics: Resolve complex hardware, software, and networking issues using Linux command-line tools, telemetry, and shell scripting to ensure mission success.
• System Ownership: Own technical outcomes for assigned vehicles, including reliability, performance (SLIs/SLOs), and operational readiness.
• Root Cause Analysis: Lead deep-dive RCA for field failures; order causes by likelihood using imperfect datasets and drive corrective actions across design, process, and tooling.
• Embedded Collaboration: Embed with Engineering design teams to provide feedback on system architecture and help evaluate solutions via system integration testing.
• Global Deployment: Deploy globally (up to 50% travel) to lead vehicle preparation, troubleshooting, and mission execution, including the oversight of third-party contractors.
• Incident Response: Participate in on-call rotations to provide real-time troubleshooting for high-priority autonomous fleet incidents.
• Documentation & Training: Develop clear work instructions, process standards, and technical training to bridge the gap from prototype to scalable operation.
• Operational Maintenance: Maintain appropriate records and inventories while following and improving strict safety and work standards.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: 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.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.
• Shared Ownership in the Mission: 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.
• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.
• Investment in Your Growth: 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.
• Relocation Support: 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed