Facilities Engineer

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 an experienced Facilities Engineer to join our Facilities team. Reporting to the Director of Facilities, you will play a critical role in maintaining uptime across our Alameda HQ by ensuring facility systems, manufacturing equipment, and material handling assets operate reliably and safely, minimizing disruption to production and R&D. We are looking for a skilled, hands-on operator who takes ownership of the physical workspace, moves quickly to resolve issues, and consistently drives execution in a dynamic, hardware-focused environment.

THE TEAM

The Facilities team is responsible for maintaining and improving Saildrone’s physical infrastructure, equipment, and work environment. We support manufacturing, R&D, and corporate operations by delivering safe, reliable, and scalable facility systems. Our work enables continuous operation of mission-critical systems in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• System Engineering Support: Provide mechanical and electrical engineering support for all industrial facility systems, including the design, layout, installation, and modification of complex HVAC, plumbing, compressed air, vacuum systems.
• CAD & Layout Design: Utilize AutoCAD/Autodesk to prepare, update, and maintain comprehensive building layouts, equipment placement,, and emergency evacuation routes.
• Sustainability & Metrics: Develop, track, and report on facility performance metrics, including energy and water consumption or carbon footprint tracking. Research and execute programs to reduce emissions and lower energy costs.
• Documentation: Maintain equipment manuals and equipment work orders for all equipment and systems, updating as necessary and ensuring work orders are scheduled as needed.  
• Direct Troubleshooting: Personally diagnose, repair, and maintain HVAC systems, electrical distribution,, and heavy material-handling equipment (forklifts, boom lifts, boat lifts, overhead cranes, pumps, compressors and motors).
• Preventative Maintenance: Design, implement, and track rigorous preventative maintenance schedules to minimize production downtime.
• Inbound Request Triage: Take accountability for the internal ticketing system, resolving issues ranging from precision mechanical calibration to general workspace adjustments and event setups.
• Project Management: Manage small to medium projects, including vendor selection, design layout and work with key stakeholders ensuring projects are completed in a timely manner and on budget.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full facility alignment with local building codes, OSHA, EPA, and NFPA regulations, particularly regarding hazardous materials and industrial safety.
• Safety Leadership: Actively participate in Safety Committees, manage industrial safety protocols (Lockout/Tagout, Job Hazard Analysis), and maintain emergency response preparedness.
• Vendor Management: Select, coordinate, and hold external contractors to Saildrone's standards for specialized/large-scale capital infrastructure projects, ensuring they finish on time and within budget.
• Waste Management: Maintaining waste disposal, satellite waste pickup. Ensure proper labeling and storage of materials and chemicals. Coordinate with waste vendors to schedule pickups as needed. 

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 7+ years of facilities engineering or operations management experience within a fast-paced hardware manufacturing, aerospace, marine, or heavy R&D environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent trade certifications/formal apprenticeships paired with extensive engineering experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of Autodesk/AutoCAD.
• Systems Expertise: Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot architectural, mechanical, and electrical blueprints and schematics.
• Safety Mindset: Deep understanding of industrial safety protocols (LOTO, JHA Risk Matrices) and handling of industrial/hazardous materials (dust, adhesives, fumes).
• Project Management: Proven ability to scope, budget, and execute small-to-medium capital facility improvement projects while communicating clearly with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift/move up to 75 lbs and maintain physical activity (bending, kneeling, standing, climbing, and reaching) throughout a full shift.
• High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe, prolonged operation of power tools, testing equipment, and precision mechanical assembly.
• Comfort working in challenging settings, including confined spaces, working at heights, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work around industrial materials (dust, fumes, adhesives) while strictly adhering to PPE requirements, including respirators and eye/ear protection.

The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.

Salary Range$115,000—$136,000 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.