Staff Electrical Engineer

About Us

With more than 2 million nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone has earned the trust of governments worldwide. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deliver continuous, real-time intelligence in the toughest oceans on Earth—giving our partners faster awareness, stronger security, and a decisive edge at sea.

Our USVs are long-range, extreme-endurance platforms powered by advanced sensors and proprietary AI - they have been designed to operate where no crewed vessel can. They collect critical insights above and below the surface to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection.

Headquartered in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington, DC, and global deployment hubs, Saildrone operates missions worldwide. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and defense technology—where data turns into intelligence, and intelligence drives action.

The Position

As a Staff Electrical Engineer, you’ll be leading the definition, design, and validation of electrical components and subsystems deployed across our entire fleet of world-class USVs. Your technical depth and significant experience will be a driving force in the creation of our next generation of autonomous sea vehicles. The products you will be impacting include the power storage, distribution, and charge/discharge hardware which fuel all of our platforms, as well as the broad suite of sensors, actuators, and computing devices which guide each vessel along their autonomous journey at sea. This role will report to the Electrical Engineering Manager.

The Responsibilities

• Represent the team across programs as a technical lead for all electrical systems

• Design PCBs ranging from power distribution units to precision sensors and actuators

• Perform schematic capture and layout for custom PCBAs in Altium 365

• Create architecture and design documents for electrical systems and custom components

• Define testing, validation, and quality assurance procedures for electrical components

• Advise systems and vehicle integration teams on signal integrity, shielding, and grounding

• Support R&D and operations teams to diagnose and resolve issues related to electrical systems

• Collaborate with mechanical and vehicle integration teams on enclosure and harness design

• Interface with firmware and software teams to ensure compatibility and establish integration plans

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance both within and outside the team

• Participate in compliance activities related to defense, maritime, and electrical safety standards

The Qualifications

• Masters degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field

• 15+ years of experience in designing electrical systems and PCB-based components

• Expertise in both AC and DC power generation, control, and distribution systems

• Expertise in PCB design, covering both high-power devices and embedded processors

• Proficiency with Altium or Altium 365 electrical CAD tools

• Experience with battery-powered systems and charging circuits

• Experience with serial, CAN, and Ethernet communication interfaces

• Experience in grounding, shielding and design for low EMI environments

• Comfort and enthusiasm working in fast-paced environments

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience in maritime, aerospace, or defense applications

• History of taking new products from early concept through to production

• History of supporting and sustaining products through obsolescence

• Knowledge of IPC, MIL-STD, UL, ABS, DNVGL, and other applicable standards

Physical Requirements

• Able to climb stairs/ladders

• Able to work for short periods outdoors in a variety of conditions

• Comfortable working near open water

Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. 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

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, and relevant experience, among other factors.

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