Fleet Manager

Telemetry Today LLC; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Health coverage

Equity grants

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Saildrone is seeking a Fleet Manager to join our Fleet Operations team in Alameda, CA. You will be responsible for the safe and effective operation of Saildrone USVs assigned to your region, collaborating with mission execution teams to ensure reliability and performance.

The role involves coordinating with vendors, PMs, and regulators, managing budgets, planning deployments, and traveling domestically and internationally up to 15% to set up hubs and support field operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime, Logistics, Operations, Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of operational experience leading complex tasks in maritime contexts.
• 5+ years in an operational leadership role with vendors and stakeholders.
• Experience operating small vessels and project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication; English fluency; Arabic bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage overall operations of your assigned fleet and maximize vehicle uptime.
• Act as primary internal partner to the Program Manager, maintaining stakeholder communication.
• Build and maintain relationships with contracted maritime and industrial partners.
• Coordinate safe recovery and deployment of vehicles to contracted facilities.
• Oversee vendor setup, PO creation, invoice validation, and vendor management.
• Assist in creating and maintaining annual operating budgets for vehicle operations.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and laws in remote locations.
• Contribute to Mission Feasibility Assessments with Mission Managers.
• Support ECO campaigns with strategic planning and execution.
• Travel for Pre-Deployment Site Surveys and ongoing fleet support.

Skills

Leadership

English fluency

Communication

Project management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Maritime/Logistics/Operations/Engineering

Job description

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, 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 Fleet Manager, to join our Fleet Operations team. Reporting to the Fleet Director, you will be responsible for the safe and effective operation of Saildrone Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) assigned to your region. You will work across internal mission execution teams supporting the successful execution of customer missions, ensuring the vehicles maintain a high level of reliability and capability.

THE TEAM

The Fleet Operations team ensures that Saildrone assets are fully mission-capable and optimized for maximum operational uptime. The team bridges design and deployment, partnering with internal support structures to accelerate product iteration and deliver resilient systems that support national security, maritime intelligence, and science exploration missions.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage overall operations of your assigned fleet, partnering with internal support teams to maximize vehicle uptime (vehicle operational efficiency - VOE).
• Act as the primary internal operational partner to the Program Manager (PM), maintaining strong communication throughout the mission lifecycle regarding vehicle performance and scheduling.
• Create and maintain strong relationships with contracted maritime and industrial partners to enable field operations, including boat yards, marinas, heavy equipment providers, and support/tow boat vendors.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and execute the safe recovery and deployment of vehicles to and from contracted facilities.
• Oversee administrative tasks including vendor setup, purchase order creation, invoice validation, and general vendor management.
• Support the Fleet Director in creating and maintaining a yearly operating budget for vehicle operations, ensuring accurate financial stewardship.
• Partner with the Fleet Director and Head of Logistics to guarantee full operational compliance with local regulations and laws in remote locations.
• Contribute to Mission Feasibility Assessments alongside Mission Managers, focusing on safe haven passage planning, shoreside facilities, and local vendors.
• Assist the Fleet Service team with the strategic planning and execution of Engineering Change Order (ECO) campaigns.
• Travel to conduct Pre-Deployment Site Surveys (PDSS) to set up new functional operational hubs, and support sustained operations at Fleet Service shore facilities.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime, Logistics, Operations, Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of operational experience executing and leading complex tasks related to shipyards, boatyards, marinas, or marine towing and repairs.
• 5+ years of experience in an operational leadership role, with a proven history of managing multiple vendors and stakeholders.
• Experience operating small vessels and a background in project management.
• Ability to multitask with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English; Arabic bilingual proficiency is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical Strength & Agility: Ability to lift/move up to 30 lbs. and maintain physical activity (bending, kneeling, standing) throughout a full shift.
• Manual Precision: High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe operation of power tools and precision assembly and repairs.
• Environmental Adaptability: Comfortable working in challenging settings, including confined spaces, heights, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions including high heat, cold, and wind.
• Safety & PPE: Ability to work around industrial materials and sites while strictly adhering to PPE requirements, including respirators and eye/ear protection as needed.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally up to 15% of the time, which includes renting and operating motor vehicles.

The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.

At Saildrone, we’re building operational capability that matters—and that requires people who can do their best work over the long term. We invest in our team’s well-being, financial security, and professional growth so you can focus on delivering real-world impact with confidence and stability. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you and your family while you contribute to a mission with lasting significance.

• 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 annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field.
• Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.

Saildrone is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.