Mission Manager

Socket.dev; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Health coverage

Equity

401(k)

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Saildrone, a maritime defense leader based in Alameda, CA, seeks a Mission Manager to join the Mission Execution team. You will plan, coordinate, and execute on-the-water operations for global USV missions, translating customer objectives into executable mission plans and ensuring fleet readiness.

You will collaborate with Sales, Program Delivery, and external stakeholders, balancing safety, COLREGS compliance, and mission success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime operations or complex technical operations.
• Working knowledge of navigation, COLREGS, and maritime safety practices.
• Experience in command-and-control, operations centers, or real-time mission environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication across technical, operational, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, and make decisions in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
• Ability to translate mission requirements into actionable operational plans.
• Passion for autonomous technology and ocean data.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate global mission operations to meet schedule and performance targets.
• Serve as primary lead for mission feasibility assessments with Sales and Program Delivery.
• Liaise with Coast Guard, Port Captains, and VTS for reporting and permissions.
• Coordinate with customers via Mission Portal on routing and CONOPS.
• Manage drone allocation, deployments, and recoveries with Fleet Captains.
• Monitor fleet navigation, weather risks, and payload status; 24/7 tasking of piloting team when needed.
• Develop and refine Mission Control SOPs and training materials.
• Provide updates on vehicle performance to Product and R&D teams; support test plans.
• Ensure operations follow COLREGS and maritime safety standards.

Skills

Maritime operations

Navigation & COLREGS

Command & control

Communication

Decision making under pressure

Mission planning translate

Willingness to travel

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

Saildrone is seeking a Mission Manager to join our Mission Execution team. Reporting to the Manager of Mission Control, you will play a critical role in planning, coordinating, and executing on-the-water operations for Saildrone’s global USV missions. You will translate customer objectives into executable mission plans, ensure fleet readiness, and maintain real-time operational alignment across internal teams and external stakeholders. We are looking for a skilled operational leader who creates clarity from complexity, communicates with precision, and thrives in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.

The Team

The Mission Management team drives the end-to-end planning and execution of Saildrone’s autonomous maritime missions. Our core focus is on ensuring safe, reliable, and scalable Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) operations for national security, defense, and commercial applications. Operating at the critical junction of customers, fleet operations, engineering, and product development, Mission Managers translate mission objectives into actionable, rigorous operational plans. This position is central to the organization, requiring communication of both mission objectives and technical expertise to a wide spectrum of stakeholders. Candidates should anticipate being at the forefront of worldwide autonomous vehicle operations in a rapidly evolving industry.

The Responsibilities

• Mission Planning & Feasibility: Plan and coordinate global mission operations to achieve schedule and performance targets, serving as the primary lead for mission feasibility assessments in partnership with Sales and Program Delivery.
• Regulatory & Port Authority: Be accountable for liaison with Coast Guard, Port Captains, and VTS, including the management of Reserves and Sanctuaries access permissions and required reporting.
• Technical Customer Interface: Work closely with customers via the Mission Portal to align on routing, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and technical troubleshooting by connecting clients to internal SMEs.
• Fleet Allocation: Carry out daily coordination with Surveyor, Voyager, and Explorer Fleet Captains to manage drone allocation, deployments, and recoveries in accordance with mission requirements.
• Operational Monitoring: Monitor for fleet navigational anomalies, weather risks, and payload status issues, taking action to resolve or mitigate via real-time 24/7 tasking of the piloting team.
• Documentation & Training: Adhere to and refine Mission Control SOPs, contributing to the development of customer training materials and internal process documentation to improve operational scalability.
• System Roadmap Feedback: Provide timely updates on vehicle performance and health issues to Product and R&D teams to support quality improvements and the execution of new product test plans.
• Operational Continuity: Meet watch and mission commitments, managing timelines and providing status updates to executive stakeholders while ensuring all operations follow COLREGS and maritime safety standards.

The Qualifications

• Experience in maritime operations, autonomous systems, defense, aerospace, or complex technical operations.
• Working knowledge of navigation, COLREGS, and maritime safety practices.
• Experience in command-and-control, operations centers, or real-time mission environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical, operational, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, and make decisions in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
• Ability to translate mission requirements into actionable operational plans.
• Passion for autonomous technology, maritime awareness, and ocean data.
• Willingness to travel as required to support missions and customer engagements.

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.

Salary Range: $135,000—$160,000 USD

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

BENEFITS

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.