Technical Program Manager

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 Role

We’re seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to drive execution for our Vehicle and Onboard engineering programs. You will partner with mechanical, firmware, and software teams to deliver new vehicle capabilities, improved reliability, and mission-ready performance.

This role leads cross-functional program planning, execution, and reporting to keep engineering schedules, priorities, and dependencies aligned. You will drive clarity and coordination across teams by developing shared systems and processes that enable effective delivery.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical fluency with program management rigor, thrives in fast-paced environments, and communicates effectively from engineers to executives.

What You’ll Do

● Lead program planning and delivery for Saildrone’s vehicle classes, aligning scope, schedule, and resources across engineering teams.

● Partner with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, and Software leads to ensure integration and readiness for each vehicle build.

● Drive PDLC consistency by building scalable systems, tools, and processes for execution and release management.

● Maintain clear visibility into team workload and progress through Jira dashboards, reports, and Advanced Roadmaps.

● Coordinate testing, production readiness, and cross-team dependencies with NPI, Production, and Supply Chain.

● Identify and manage program risks, enabling data-driven tradeoffs on scope, schedule, and quality.

● Provide concise leadership updates and executive briefings on program health, milestones, and decisions.

Required Skills and Experience

● 7+ years of Technical Program Management experience delivering complex hardware + software products.

● Proven ability to manage engineering schedules, dependencies, and tradeoffs across multiple disciplines.

● Expertise in Jira configuration, dashboards, and Advanced Roadmaps.

● Experience collaborating with manufacturing and supply chain partners.

● Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.

● Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering (or equivalent experience).

Desired Skills and Experience

● Background in robotics, autonomous systems, or marine vehicles.

● Experience with systems engineering principles and hardware release processes.

● Strong technical understanding and credibility with cross-functional engineering teams.

● History of designing or scaling program systems that improved delivery consistency and execution discipline.

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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