Director of Contracting

Saildrone

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 193,000 - 227,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Comprehensive health coverage

Equity in mission

401(k) retirement plan

Growth and learning opportunities

Job summary

Saildrone, a maritime defense leader, seeks a Director of Contracting to negotiate and sign contracts with US Government, commercial, and international clients. You will manage proposals, ensure DoD/FAR compliance, and build relationships with procurement authorities.

You will collaborate with VP of Business Development, Head of Legal, and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into executable agreements and secure critical partnerships that advance Saildrone's autonomous maritime

Qualifications

7–12+ years negotiating and executing contracts with US Government, commercial and international customers.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Ability to obtain and maintain TOP SECRET / SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end management and design of execution processes for commercial and Federal agreements.
Lead negotiation and execution of a diverse portfolio of agreements with international, commercial, and US Government clients.
Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with customer procurement authorities.
Partner with Proposals team to review bids, solicitations, and proposals.
Collaborate with VP BD and Head of Legal to ensure compliance with FAR/GAO and internal policies.
Coordinate with Finance, Operations, Engineering, and Account Execs for smooth handover of closed business.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Government contract experience

Proposal development

GSA schedules

Security clearance

FAR Part 12/15

International contracting

Vendor management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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.

The Company

Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and 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 Director of Contracting to join our Business Development Team. Reporting directly to the VP of Business Development, you will play a critical role in negotiating and executing contracts and other agreements with US Government, Commercial and International customers and will be responsible for managing Saildrone’s relationships with customer procurement authorities. We are looking for an experienced, skilled individual who has a relentless energy to get things done and a proven track record of working within a fast-paced environment.

The Team

Saildrone’s Business Development team is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing government and commercial partnerships for Saildrone’s autonomous maritime capabilities. We work closely across the defense sector to deliver scalable ocean mapping, maritime domain awareness, and force projection solutions that power national security. Operating in close partnership with Product, Engineering, and Mission Operations teams, we translate complex DoD and Navy requirements into successful missions that perform in demanding real-world environments.

The Responsibilities

Oversee the end-to-end management and design of execution processes for commercial and Federal agreements, from initial draft through to final signing.
Lead the negotiation and execution of a diverse portfolio of agreements, including subcontracting, teaming, consortium, and contract modifications with International, Commercial, and US Government clients.
Cultivate and manage Saildrone's strategic relationships with customer procurement authorities across all organizational levels, utilizing existing connections with stakeholders and contracting officers to aid the Sales team in capturing new opportunities.
Partner with the Proposals team to provide critical support in reviewing and structuring bids, solicitations, and formal proposals.
Collaborate closely with the VP of Business Development and Head of Legal to evaluate proposals and contracts for alignment with internal policies and applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations, while building out robust compliance initiatives for our expanding operations.
Facilitate cross-functional communication and alignment with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Program Managers, and Account Executives to deeply understand customer delivery models and ensure seamless handover of closed business for operational kickoff.
Administer official contracts databases, maintain accurate Federal registrations, and establish clear best practices for executing commercial activities via Saildrone’s GSA schedule.

Qualifications

Required skills and experience

7-12+ years of hands‑on experience in negotiating and executing contracts with and managing relationships with United States Government, Commercial and International customers.
Successful experience submitting and negotiating complex proposals and contracts, including:
- Competitive and sole source.
- Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursable.
- USG, Foreign and Commercial.
- Multiple USG Agencies and contractual vehicles (GSA, IDIQ, BPA, OTA, FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 15).
- Hardware production and service provision.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET / SCI security clearance.

Desired Skills And Experience

Contract Management Certifications (e.g. DAWIA, CFCM).
Active TOP SECRET / SCI security clearance.
Strong, pre-existing working relationships with Federal contracting organizations.
Deep knowledge of and experience with GSA schedules.
Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
Executive presence and professional demeanor.
Impeccable judgment.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to adjust quickly and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as the ability to learn new computer applications.

Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed on a computer and requires the ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.
Ability to travel to corporate headquarters in Alameda at least once every 6 months.

Salary Range

$192,551—$226,530 USD

To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy-policy.

Benefits

Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time.
Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.
Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long‑term value you help create through meaningful, operational work.
Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre‑tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long‑term financial planning.
Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an