Fleet Manager

The posting, as Saildrone wrote it

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, an established European entity supporting regional business development, sales, and operations, and a deployment hub in 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, focusin

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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.