Staff Mechanical Engineer - Platform Lead/ Naval Architect

The role

You will lead the design, integration, and regulatory compliance of complex electro-mechanical systems for uncrewed surface vehicles. This role involves naval architecture, technical leadership, and managing the vehicle system from early architecture to full-scale production.

What you will do

• Ownership of the Vehicle System, interfaces, and performance for a new start platform
• Responsibility for naval architecture including static and dynamic calculations and analysis
• Responsibility for vehicle developmental budget and cost performance
• Technical leadership at the vehicle system level
• Represent the vehicle system in leadership and customer meetings
• Lead meetings across the vehicle team
• Interface with VP Hardware Engineering and other system leads
• Interface with Production, Payloads, Mission Systems, Field Operations, Product Management, and Sustainment teams
• Drive platform level trade studies
• Interpret and apply guidelines from Third Party Authorities like ABS, DNV GL, and Bureau Veritas

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent field experience)
• 7+ years of industry experience with a strong emphasis on the Marine Industry, composite structures, and complex mechanisms
• Extensive professional experience working as a project lead or manager driving execution across diverse engineering disciplines
• Experience with projects, programs, or products transitioning from prototype design, prototype testing, new product introduction, and transition into production
• Practical experience interpreting marine regulatory frameworks and third-party guidelines (ABS, DNV GL, Bureau Veritas)
• Proven track record of managing multiple successful product launches and working directly with fabrication shops and contract manufacturers
• Hands-on fabrication and assembly skills for prototype build out and testing
• Proactive problem-solving skills with experience acting as a technical lead and mentoring junior engineering talent
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift up to 50 lbs during assembly and staging operations
• High manual dexterity to operate peripheral computer devices, hand tools, and mechanical testing equipment
• Ability to perform work across office, hangar, and waterfront dock operational settings

Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual
• Annual holiday schedule
• Paid sick leave
• Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Equity grants
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth options
• Annual professional development reimbursement program
• Relocation assistance for eligible roles

About the company

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The company maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world.