Field Fleet Service Lead - Marine Systems

Saildrone; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Saildrone is seeking a Fleet Service technician to assemble, service, and prepare autonomous surface vehicles for deployment in demanding marine environments. You will lead day-to-day assembly and service workflows, troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and software issues, and ensure mission readiness.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with travel up to 25% to other regional sites. If based outside the Middle East, travel may be 50-75% depending on needs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a technical service role involving mechanical and electrical work in a field, shipyard, or heavy industrial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to assemble, service, and deploy complex equipment with minimal supervision, including troubleshooting under pressure in demanding field conditions.
• Strong mechanical and electrical fundamentals, with experience diagnosing electro-mechanical systems and using SSH to interact with vehicle systems.
• Experience leading daily work, coordinating teams, and validating work performed by contractors and junior technicians.
• Proficiency in service documentation, inventory management, and Fleetio work order management.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle assembly and service for Saildrone's fleet, with a focus on Voyager and cross-training across the Surveyor and Explorer platforms.
• Execute deployments and repairs domestically and internationally, independently leading vehicle haul-outs, launches, and mission-readiness validation.
• Plan and coordinate daily work several days in advance, assigning tasks and managing resources to keep technicians and contractors productive.
• Train and mentor others by coaching contractors, clients, and junior technicians on assembly and service procedures, and signing off on basic training modules.
• Troubleshoot technical issues across mechanical, electrical, and software systems, using appropriate diagnostic tools and methods to resolve field issues.
• Improve assembly and service processes by identifying gaps in work instructions, documenting field-proven solutions, and recommending improvements to procedures and vehicle designs for Engineering review.
• Coordinate site logistics and equipment by requesting parts using specific part numbers, managing heavy equipment such as cranes and forklifts, and maintaining accurate inventory records.
• Maintain service documentation and accountability by recording work accurately in Fleetio, closing work orders after deployment, and validating the quality and completeness of work performed by others.

Skills

Mechanical fundamentals

Electrical fundamentals

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Training others

SSH usage

Education

Dinghy operator certification

Telehandler/Forklift operator certification

Tools

Fleetio

Crane operation

Forklift operation

Diagnostic tools

Job description

Saildrone is seeking a Fleet Service technician to assemble, service, and prepare autonomous surface vehicles for deployment in demanding marine environments. You will lead day-to-day assembly and service workflows, troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and software issues, and ensure mission readiness.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with travel up to 25% to other regional sites. If based outside the Middle East, travel may be 50-75% depending on needs.