Director, Fleet Service

The role

You will lead the global deployment, assembly, maintenance, and operational uptime of the Saildrone autonomous vehicle fleet. You will direct and mentor a global field service team of managers, technicians, and engineers.

What you will do

• Lead, scale, and manage a global field service team for 24/7 mission success.
• Serve as the primary leadership liaison between field operations and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee resource allocation and labor scheduling across international deployment hubs.
• Design scalable pathways for technician development.
• Establish feedback loops to influence future-state vehicle design.
• Optimize enterprise asset and project platforms including Fleetio, NetSuite, Harvest, Jira, and Confluence.
• Enforce corporate compliance with safety standard operating procedures and maritime regulations.
• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and engineering excellence.
• Recruit and mentor talent for growth.
• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with company values and safety expectations.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Robotics, Aerospace) or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of operational experience leading complex technical services in shipyards, heavy industrial settings, offshore energy, aerospace, or global maritime environments.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering leadership or lead roles managing teams supporting complex hardware, mechanical, or autonomous systems.
• Ability to communicate complex technical specifics to cross functional partners and executive leadership.
• Ability to lift/move up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to maintain physical activity including bending, kneeling, and standing throughout a full shift.
• High manual dexterity and visual acuity for power tools and precision assembly.
• Comfortable working in confined spaces, heights, and outdoors in variable weather.
• Ability to work around industrial materials and sites while adhering to PPE requirements.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally up to 15% of the time.
• Ability to rent and operate motor vehicles.

Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual.
• Annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave.
• 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.