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 a Fleet Service Manager to lead fleet service operations across assigned regions, teams, or assets. This role is responsible for coordinating personnel, planning service activities, and maintaining operational readiness across a globally deployed fleet. You will bridge long-term resource planning with day-to-day field execution, ensuring technicians have the support, tools, and direction needed to keep Saildrone vehicles mission-ready.

We are looking for an operations leader who brings structure to complex, fast-moving environments, uses data to drive decisions, and takes ownership of improving fleet service performance. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable leading distributed teams, providing technical guidance, and partnering across the organization to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.

THE TEAM

Fleet Operations is responsible for maintaining the readiness, reliability, and serviceability of Saildrone's autonomous vehicle fleet. The team coordinates maintenance, repairs, personnel, and field support across active deployments and operational sites.

Working closely with technicians and partners across engineering, logistics, quality, safety, and program management, the team focuses on delivering consistent service standards, improving operational processes, and ensuring deployed assets receive the support they need.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead fleet service operations: Oversee technician teams and field service activities across assigned regions or fleets, establishing consistent processes and maintaining operational readiness.
Manage personnel and resource planning: Coordinate technician and contractor schedules, travel, and labor allocation to support deployments, service demands, and upcoming projects.
Own fleet maintenance systems and reporting: Drive effective use of Fleetio, including service programs, work orders, parts and inventory tracking, and reporting. Leverage tools such as NetSuite, Harvest, Jira, and Confluence to support labor, cost, and operational tracking.
Oversee work order execution: Lead work order creation, review, and follow-through, ensuring accurate resource allocation, quality control, and completion of required administrative tasks.
Provide technical leadership and field support: Serve as a primary remote resource for technicians, guiding complex troubleshooting, supporting new technical tasks, and making operational decisions during field disruptions when an on-site lead is unavailable.
Establish operational standards: Develop and maintain SOPs, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and other operational documentation. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen safety, quality, efficiency, and consistency across field operations.
Develop technician capabilities: Build and refine training programs, mentor Level 3 and Level 4 technicians, and support their development into effective field leaders and managers.
Drive cross-functional execution: Partner with engineering, program management, logistics, quality, safety, and other teams to improve systems integration, resolve operational challenges, and coordinate administrative processes, including ADP, travel, document tracking, Quality Events (QEs), and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).