Vehicle 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 autonomous vessels depend on software that directly interfaces with the physical vehicle: sensors, onboard computers, power systems, and control systems. As a Vehicle Software Engineer, you will develop the production C++ software that integrates these systems and keeps autonomous vessels operating reliably in the real world.

This is a hands-on systems role at the boundary of software and hardware. You will work from sensor and subsystem integration through testing, deployment, and field troubleshooting, with the opportunity to solve problems on autonomous vehicles operating for long periods far from human operators.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain production C++ software running onboard autonomous vessels.
• Integrate sensors and physical vehicle subsystems into the onboard software stack.
• Interface with power, battery-management, propulsion, and other vehicle control systems.
• Diagnose complex vehicle and software issues using telemetry, logs, testing, and direct system investigation.
• Develop software supporting vehicle configuration, deployment, upgrades, and migration across the fleet.
• Validate software and hardware integrations on real vehicles and improve their reliability in field operations.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong C++ software engineering skills and experience building production systems.
• Strong systems understanding and comfort working across software and hardware boundaries.
• Experience developing software that interfaces with sensors, actuators, or other physical systems.
• Experience debugging complex systems using logs, telemetry, test data, and system behavior.
• Experience deploying and maintaining software on physical products or other systems operating in the field.
• Ability to understand and reason about interactions between software, hardware, and larger system behavior.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, maritime, industrial systems, or other complex physical products.
• Experience with embedded Linux, real-time systems, hardware bring-up, or vehicle communications.
• Experience with remote software deployment, configuration management, or fleet diagnostics.

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.