THE COMPANY

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365.

Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, an established European entity supporting regional business development, sales, and operations, and a deployment hub in the Middle East. By combining proven autonomous operations, edge computing, advanced sensing, renewable power, and the most advanced and robust unmanned surface technology on the planet, Saildrone is shaping how the Navy of the future operates. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the forefront of maritime security and autonomous innovation.

THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking an NPI Electrical & Harness Technician to serve as a core technical builder on our New Product Introduction (NPI) team. In this role, you will build, solder, and integrate complex wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and electrical enclosures for pilot builds and prototype platforms. We are looking for an "engineering-minded" technician who possesses deep electrical intuition, deeply understands wiring specifications and schematics, and excels at identifying design flaws early. Your primary mission is to build pilot hardware, capture meticulous redlines, and deliver actionable Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback to electrical and harness design engineers before designs are locked for full production.

THE TEAM

The NPI Team operates at the tip of the spear in hardware execution. Working at the intersection of R&D and production, we collaborate daily across Hardware, Firmware, Software, Quality, and Production teams to mature new hardware and platforms into scalable, buildable products. In our fast-paced environment, we ensure every system is built safely, reliably, and efficiently to perform in high-stakes marine science and maritime defense missions.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Harness & Electrical Fabrication: Build complex wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and electrical enclosures from engineering schematics, wire lists, and CAD layouts.
Precision Soldering: Perform high-reliability precision soldering on wire-to-wire splices, connectors, potted assemblies, and surface-mount/through-hole components on PCBAs.
Redline & DFM Feedback: Actively identify schematic errors, routing issues, and connector interferences during pilot builds; meticulously document and deliver redlines and DFM feedback to design engineers.
Vehicle Integration & Troubleshooting: Perform benchtop testing, continuity checks, and pinout verifications. Assist with physical harness routing, in-vehicle electrical integration, and system troubleshooting on prototype platforms.
Build Documentation: Maintain detailed build records, capture discrepancy reports, and assist in refining visual assembly instructions for downstream production technicians.
Production Team Collaboration: Train with the production harness team to establish baseline standards, flexing over to production to support high-volume surges or embedding in R&D during active pilot build cycles.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

4+ years of experience as a wire harness / electrical technician in a low-volume, high-reliability environment (aerospace, defense, marine, space, or robotics).
Demonstrated mastery of wire harness fabrication tools, crimping techniques, heat shrink application, potting, and loom braiding.
Strong soldering skills on both wiring assemblies and PCBAs.
Ability to read, interpret, and build directly from complex electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, wire lists, and mechanical drawings.
Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of documenting engineering redlines and DFM feedback.
Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on experience installing and routing harnesses inside tight, IP-rated or weatherproof enclosures.