Software 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's vehicles use cameras to understand their environment and estimate motion. As a Computer Vision Engineer focused on Geometry & Perception, you will develop the geometric vision systems that turn imagery into estimates of motion, depth, 3D structure, and spatial relationships.

You will work across camera calibration, multi-camera systems, visual tracking, geometric estimation, and deployment on real autonomous vehicles.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop computer vision algorithms for camera motion, vehicle pose, depth, 3D structure, and spatial relationships.
• Develop intrinsic, extrinsic, and multi-camera calibration systems.
• Build multi-camera and temporal vision systems using correspondence, feature tracking, stereo, and related techniques.
• Apply geometric estimation and optimization to noisy real-world imagery.
• Integrate vision algorithms with cameras and other vehicle sensors, including coordinate frames and synchronization.
• Validate and debug vision systems on autonomous vehicles across algorithms, calibration, hardware, and software.
• Improve vision-system performance and reliability under real-world conditions.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong C++ software engineering skills.
• Hands-on experience developing computer vision or geometric vision algorithms.
• Experience calibrating and integrating cameras on robotic, autonomous, or other physical systems.
• Strong understanding of 3D geometry, camera models, coordinate transformations, and estimation or optimization.
• Experience working with real sensor data and integrating algorithms into production systems.

NICE TO HAVE

• Stereo vision, visual odometry, SLAM, structure from motion, or multi-view geometry experience.
• Embedded or edge computing experience.

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$144,500—$300,000 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.