Quality Technician

Saildrone; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 45,460 - 66,124; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health coverage

401(k)

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Saildrone, based in Alameda, CA, is seeking a Quality Technician to join our Quality Programs team. You will perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of electro-mechanical assemblies, logging data, and supporting production to deliver compliant autonomous surface vehicles.

The role requires hands-on experience with precision measurement tools and strong collaboration, in a fast-paced defense-adjacent environment. IPC certifications are desirable; welding inspection is a bonus.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on quality control in electronics or mechanical inspection within manufacturing or hardware development.
• Experience reading engineering drawings, schematics, and quality specifications.
• Ability to clearly communicate inspection findings to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of electro-mechanical assemblies to meet specifications.
• Log and maintain accurate inspection data and documentation.
• Collaborate with production to raise defect awareness and ensure compliant autonomous surface vehicles.

Skills

Electronics inspection

Mechanical inspection

Precision measurement

Education

IPC-A-610 IPC/WHMA-A-620

Tools

Surface plates

Thread gauges

Pin gauges

Micrometers

Calipers

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 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 Quality Technician to join our Quality Programs team. Reporting directly to the Manager, Quality Programs, you will play a critical role in performing incoming, in-process, and final inspections of electro-mechanical assemblies, helping baseline our design efforts and paving the way for production to meet rising customer demand. We are looking for a skilled individual who brings a strong technical mindset, solid collaborative skills, and a proven track record of independently driving quality execution in a fast-paced environment.

THE TEAM

The Quality Programs team is responsible for maintaining high quality control standards and operational compliance across all product lines. We are focused on delivering robust, reliable, and scalable autonomous solutions for global maritime domain awareness to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection, operating in a national security and defense environment.

The Responsibilities

• Perform routine physical, visual, and dimensional inspections on incoming materials, in-process assemblies, and finished electro-mechanical components to ensure they meet engineering specifications and tolerances.
• Be accountable for logging and maintaining accurate inspection data, ensuring all documentation aligns with current specifications and quality procedures.
• Work closely with production and final assembly teams to raise defect awareness, align on specification requirements, and ensure the successful delivery of compliant autonomous surface vehicles.
• Carry out day-to-day work using precision inspection tools—including surface plates, thread gauges, pin gauges, micrometers, and calipers—in accordance with established quality standards and procedures.
• Monitor for product and process non-conformances, take swift action to initiate corrective measures, and elevate quality risks when thresholds or tolerances are exceeded.
• Adhere to quality SOPs, engineering specifications, and quality alerts, and support Quality Engineering in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Provide timely updates on inspection results, defect trends, and quality alerts to the manager and production partners to support execution and alignment.
• Meet commitments, manage daily inspection workloads, and proactively raise capacity or process concerns when production priorities shift.
• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with company values, safety expectations, quality standards, and ethical guidelines.

The Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; industry-standard certifications (such as IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620) are highly desirable.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience as an electronics or mechanical inspector, performing quality control work in a manufacturing or hardware development environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using precision measurement tools and inspection machinery (e.g., surface plates, thread/pin gauges, micrometers, calipers).
• Proven ability to read and interpret quality control specifications, engineering drawings, and schematics, including mechanical/electrical symbols and key characteristics.
• Ability to clearly communicate inspection findings, errors, and technical non-conformances to peers, managers, and cross-functional manufacturing teams.
• Working knowledge of basic quality terms, calibration concepts, and the distinction between accuracy and precision to select appropriate measuring techniques.
• Bonus points if you have welding inspection experience.

Physical Requirements

• Physical Strength & Agility: Ability to traverse the manufacturing facility multiple times a day and perform physical motions including bending, twisting, squatting, walking, and reaching throughout a full shift. Also, be ability to lift 50lbs a short distance.
• Manual Precision: High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe, prolonged operation of precision measuring tools and close inspection of complex electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Safety & PPE: Comfort working safely in an active production environment, strictly adhering to all PPE and safety guidelines.

Salary Range

$33—$48 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.