Vehicle Assembly & Service Technician

Company: Saildrone
Location: Alameda
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description About Us With more than 2 million nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone has earned the trust of governments worldwide. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deliver continuous, real-time intelligence in the toughest oceans on Earth—giving our partners faster awareness, stronger security, and a decisive edge at sea. Our USVs are long-range, extreme-endurance platforms powered by advanced sensors and proprietary AI - they have been designed to operate where no crewed vessel can. They collect critical insights above and below the surface to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection. Headquartered in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington, DC, and global deployment hubs, Saildrone operates missions worldwide. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and defense technology—where data turns into intelligence, and intelligence drives action. The Role Saildrone's autonomous surface vehicles operate for unprecedented periods of time in the most unforgiving environments on the planet. From inside of hurricanes to the frigid waters of the Arctic, the stresses they endure are immense. The technical execution of preparing the vehicles for their mission and servicing their constituent parts must be performed with a high degree of skill and consistency. As a Vehicle Assembly & Service Technician, you will be responsible for constructing and servicing Saildrone vehicles as well as training and leading others to do the same. You will collaborate with a variety of teams in engineering, operations, and production. You will interact with clients and lead teams, both in the shop and around the world, to execute assembly and service operations. You will help turn in-field realities into product improvements, serving as an important link between our end users and the teams at Saildrone who design our products. What You'll Do Lead the assembly and service workflows for Saildrone’s vehicle fleet, ensuring that our drones are fully mission capable and able to maintain exceptionally high uptime. Travel domestically and internationally to deploy and repair Saildrone vehicles. Train contractors, clients, and other third-parties on how to assemble and service Saildrone vehicles. Provide input on how to improve in-field assembly and service procedures as well as vehicle designs. What We're Looking For A top performer in this role will be highly motivated by and skilled in the following areas: A skilled technician that understands how to apply fundamentally sound mechanical and electrical skills in a field environment. Act with self-awareness and professionalism when interacting with Saildrone clients and colleagues. Passion for teaching and coaching others on how to perform technical procedures. Possess high standards for doing things the right way. Able to lead and hold others accountable for achieving that same standard. Ability to assess current processes and determine how they could improve to achieve increased safety, consistency, and efficiency. Desire to take ownership of and responsibility for the outcome of operational execution. Required Skills Skills that are necessary to executing the core functions of this role are listed below: Desire and ability to provide industry-defining customer service for both external customers and Saildrone colleagues. Ability to simplify technical concepts and product knowledge to teach and coach end-users on vehicle assembly and service. 5 or more years of experience executing operations involving the application of fundamentally sound electrical and mechanical skills while performing a technical service role in a field, shipyard, or heavy industrial environment, following service instructions/diagrams, using tools ranging from basic hand tools to heavy equipment and rigging. Ability to lead and work in teams, to include third-party contractors, to execute operational plans and deliver on contractual obligations. Maintain appropriate records and inventories. Possess organizational habits and a willingness to define, follow, and improve safety, process, and work standards. Willingness to support 50% travel, domestically and internationally. U.S. Person status and eligibility for U.S. Department of Defense security clearance is required for this role. Preferred Skills Here's a non-exhaustive list of specific skills where prior knowledge or experience would lend itself to high performance: Prior experience planning, leading, and performing technically complex operations in the field for a global OEM servicing the automotive, aerospace, shipyard, offshore oil and gas, heavy civil/mining, renewable energy, or telecommunications industries. Prior experience in a fast-paced, start-up environment or an advanced serviceability/manufacturability of design role. Able to develop/create technical repair content to support global standardization and service documentation for safety, quality, and repeatability. Possess the ability to systematically isolate, diagnose, and repair issues on electro-mechanical systems in a marine environment. Personal or professional experience on or near water; familiar with rigging, mooring, and basic boat handling principles. Heavy equipment loading, shipping preparation, offloading, and relocation. Driving forklifts, lifting machines, and crane operation. Experience Driving 30 ft twin-engine powerboat(s) with vehicles in tow, experience at sea. Physical Requirements: Ability to support 50-75% travel, domestic and international. Able to work on your feet and at heights. Able to lift and carry 50lbs. Location : This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda. All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone. Benefits : Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching. Company sponsored life insurance Stock Options Annual stipend for continued learning and development Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!) Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card The salary range for this role is $90,000-$120,000 annually. Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, and relevant experience, among other factors. 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. LI-Onsite

Keywords: Saildrone, Santa Rosa , Vehicle Assembly & Service Technician, Engineering , Alameda, California