Maritime Platform Lead, Mechanical Engineering

Saildrone; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

401(k) with employer match

Relocation assistance

Professional development reimbursement

Generous PTO and health coverage

Job summary

Saildrone seeks a Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead our Hardware Engineering team and serve as the primary technical authority for platform development from architecture through production.

You will guide a hands-on team, drive platform trade studies, ensure marine regulatory compliance, and deliver robust autonomous surface vehicles for national security, civil ocean data missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of industry experience designing complex electro-mechanical hardware.
• 3+ years in a technical leadership or engineering management role.
• Experience as Platform Lead or Technical Project Manager for complex hardware from prototype to production.
• Experience applying marine regulatory frameworks and collaborating with shipyards or manufacturers.
• Strong CAD, drafting standards, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and multi-configuration BOM management.
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, testing, and rapid prototype validation.
• Excellent technical communication and decision-making in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Platform Lead driving vehicle architecture and system interfaces from prototype through production.
• Lead cross-functional execution and cadences across Production, Payloads, Mission Systems.
• Oversee electro-mechanical sub-assemblies and regulatory compliance (ABS, DNV GL, BV).
• Collaborate with shipyards and contract manufacturers to enforce DFM and handoffs.
• Maintain BOM accuracy and CAD standards across the team.
• Hands-on prototyping and validation including vibration and thermal testing.
• Recruit, mentor, and build a high-performing mechanical engineering team.

Skills

Platform Lead

Mechanical design leadership

Marine engineering

Project management

CAD modeling

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Drafting standards

GD&T

BOM management

Job description

Saildrone seeks a Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead our Hardware Engineering team and serve as the primary technical authority for platform development from architecture through production.

You will guide a hands-on team, drive platform trade studies, ensure marine regulatory compliance, and deliver robust autonomous surface vehicles for national security, civil ocean data missions.