Senior Software Engineer, Data Integration and Applications

About Us

Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme-endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. Insights that support border security, law enforcement, undersea infrastructure protection, hydrography, and naval power applications. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments across the planet and set the standard for cost-efficient maritime intelligence in the world's harshest environments.

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

You will support the design, build, and maintenance of the software systems that support Saildrone’s bathymetry data collection and mapping workflows. This includes ingesting sonar data streams, transforming and storing large datasets, managing cloud-based data pipelines, and developing web applications that deliver high-quality geospatial products to internal and external users. The role spans the full stack — from connecting to sonar software data feeds, to processing point clouds and time series data, to creating APIs and interactive map displays. You will work closely with engineers and operators to ensure data is collected, processed, and visualized reliably and at scale. We’re looking for a flexible engineer with strong software fundamentals who can thrive in diverse technical domains, who is comfortable switching between backend services and frontend interfaces, and who can take ownership of complex workflows. A key aspect of this role is building redundancy across critical systems, ensuring that knowledge and capabilities are shared across the team.

This role is required to be onsite in Alameda, CA in the Bay Area 3 days per week - this is our hybrid model. This is not a remote position.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5–8 years of professional software development experience
• BA/BS in related field or equivalent experience
• Strong proficiency in Python for data processing, scripting, and APIs
• Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and ReactJS for frontend development
• Experience working with Linux environments (bash scripting, system services)
• Familiarity with sensor data integration via WebSockets, MQTT, or UDP packet streams
• Proficiency with AWS and other cloud services (S3, DataSync, CLI-based workflows)
• Experience with REST API development and integration
• Experience working with geospatial data formats and libraries (e.g., GDAL, GeoTIFF, XYZ point clouds)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to own projects end-to-end
• Experience working with agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with time-series databases (InfluxDB preferred)
• Experience building map tiling/mosaic services (titiler, cogeo-mosaic, or similar)
• Experience with Google Maps and Mapbox integrations in web applications
• Knowledge of event-driven systems and streaming protocols (gRPC, Protobuf, WebSockets)
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with data visualization libraries (Deck.gl, D3, WebGL)
• Interest in hydrography, ocean mapping, or geospatial sciences
  
  
  

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

Location: This position is hybrid in Alameda, CA (Onsite 3 days per week required). Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda.

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.

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.

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.

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