Manager, Homeland Security Growth

Saildrone; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

Health coverage

Equity grants

401(k) with company match

Professional development reimbursement

Relocation support

Job summary

Saildrone is seeking a Manager, Homeland Security Growth to drive new business and manage accounts within the United States DHS components (USCG/CBP). You will build a robust pipeline of government customers requiring maritime domain awareness and autonomous surveillance, translating national security needs into actionable missions.

You will lead end-to-end sales activities, collaborate with product and engineering teams, and develop complex government proposals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in technical sales or business development selling directly into the federal government (DHS/USCG/CBP).
• Solid understanding of homeland security maritime operations and coastal surveillance requirements.
• Foundational knowledge of maritime security tech, ISR payloads, and autonomous marine systems (USVs/AUVs).
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to write proposals and deliver to leadership.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
• Active Secret or Top Secret US security clearance is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prospect, qualify, and develop new sales leads within DHS components (e.g., USCG, CBP).
• Manage end-to-end sales cycle for federal government accounts, including RFI/RFP responses and contract coordination.
• Maintain an accurate CRM pipeline and forecast revenue.
• Partner with internal mission operations, product, and engineering to scope DHS requirements for MDA missions.
• Act as primary contact for homeland security clients, ensuring smooth handoff to execution.
• Represent Saildrone at federal/defense conferences and events to build brand awareness.
• Gather and report agency feedback, budget trends, and competitor activity to inform strategy.

Skills

Federal gov sales

Proposal writing

Strategic account management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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.

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

We are seeking an energetic and proactive Manager, Homeland Security Growth to drive new business and manage accounts within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agencies. In this role, you will be responsible for building a robust pipeline of government customers who require advanced maritime domain awareness (MDA), coastal surveillance, and illicit trafficking interdiction solutions, specifically targeting the US Coast Guard (USCG) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

You will manage day‑to‑day sales activities—from prospecting and qualifying agency leads to drafting complex government proposals and closing contracts. Working closely with our internal product experts, engineering, and mission operations teams, you will help translate critical national security requirements into successful, autonomous maritime surveillance missions. This is an execution‑focused role perfect for a driven sales professional who thrives at the intersection of homeland security operations and emerging autonomous technology.

The Team

Saildrone's Business Development team identifies and secures new opportunities for our hydrographic, meteorological, oceanographic, and maritime intelligence solutions. Partnering with government and commercial sectors, we provide the world's most capable unmanned surface vehicles. The team coordinates with Account Managers and Mission Operations to transform client needs into effective real-world deployments.

The Responsibilities

• Prospect, qualify, and develop new sales leads within targeted Department of Homeland Security components (e.g., USCG and CBP).
• Manage the end-to-end sales cycle for federal government accounts, including initial agency outreach, RFI/RFP responses, technical capabilities presentations, and contract coordination.
• Maintain an accurate, up-to-date sales pipeline and customer relationship management (CRM) database to track federal opportunities and forecast revenue.
• Partner with Saildrone’s internal mission operations, product, and engineering teams to scope DHS requirements and ensure the feasibility of proposed Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions.
• Act as a primary point of contact for homeland security clients, ensuring a smooth handoff from the sales and contract phase to mission execution and intelligence delivery.
• Represent Saildrone at federal and defense industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events (e.g., Sea-Air-Space, WEST, Homeland Security Week) to build brand awareness.
• Gather and report on agency feedback, federal budget trends, and competitor activities to assist leadership in refining government sales strategies.

The Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in technical sales, account management, or business development selling directly into the federal government, specifically focusing on DHS, USCG, or CBP.
• Solid understanding of homeland security maritime operations, border protection, and coastal surveillance requirements.
• Strong foundational knowledge of maritime security technologies, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads, and autonomous marine systems (USVs/AUVs).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write compelling government proposals and deliver engaging presentations to military and civilian leadership.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• An active professional network within the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies.
• Active Secret or Top Secret US Security Clearance is highly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed on a computer and requires the ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to client sites, deployment hubs, and industry events.

Salary Range

Salary Range

$150,000—$180,000 USD

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 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.