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Staff Software Engineer

Saildrone

  • Date Posted:

    8/7/2025

  • Remote Work Level:

    Hybrid Remote

  • Location:

    Hybrid Remote in Alameda, CA

  • Job Type:

    Employee

  • Job Schedule:

    Full-Time

  • Career Level:

    Experienced

  • Travel Required:

    Yes

  • Education Level:

    Bachelor's/Undergraduate Degree

  • Salary:

    $189,000 - $243,000 Annually

  • Categories:

    Cyber SecuritySystem AdministratorSoftware EngineerPythonQA

  • Benefits:

    Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Parental Leave, Education Assistance, Paid Illness Leave, Paid Time Off, Career Development

About the Role

Title: Staff Software Engineer, Security

Location: CA-Alameda

Software Engineering | Hybrid in Alameda, CA | Full Time | From $189,000 to $243,000 per year

Job Description:

About Us

Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme-endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. Insights that support border security, law enforcement, undersea infrastructure protection, hydrography, and naval power applications. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments across the planet and set the standard for cost-efficient maritime intelligence in the world's harshest environments.

We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate missions worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services, autonomy, and AI. You will be part of a high-performing, multidisciplinary team delivering data, intelligence, and firepower for strategic superiority.
The Role

Saildrone’s security team is growing! As we expand our customer base and mission portfolio, we face an ever-evolving threat landscape. Our vehicles operate far from home, for months at a time, everywhere from crowded inland waterways to remote nature sanctuaries to contested waters. You will have a direct hand in making sure our drones, data, and platform provide reliable service at all times. This includes responsibilities like:

  • Designing, building, and operating automated security systems for our drones and shore-side systems
  • Reviewing designs and code from other engineering teams, with an eye toward security defects
  • Responding to security incidents as part of a rotating on-call schedule
  • Assessing the company's compliance with security standards, like NIST 800-171 or ISO27001
  • Testing the company's security posture through manual and automated means, including tabletop exercises, penetration tests, and offensive scanners
  • Collaborating with teams across the company to achieve security goals

Required skills and experience

  • 8+ years of progressive experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related engineering field such as computer science or computer engineering, or equivalent experience
  • At least two languages from the set {Python, C/C++, TypeScript, Go} and one other language
  • Infrastructure automation frameworks such as Ansible, Terraform, or Puppet
  • Cloud providers and their services, especially Amazon Web Services
  • Previous security experience of some sort: security development, infrastructure security, security operations, etc.
  • This position requires a U.S. security clearance and/or compliance with Saildrone’s U.S. Government contracts, which may require U.S. citizenship under federal regulations.

Desired skills and experience

  • Advanced degree in a computer-related engineering field such as computer science or computer engineering, or equivalent experience
  • One or more of the following: Kubernetes and container technologies, Familiarity with PKI standards and applied cryptography, IoT or robotics technologies, including firmware, CAN architectures, and real-time operating systems
  • Experience with FedRAMP or other government cybersecurity standards

Physical requirements: Regular use of a computer while sitting or standing at a desk for extended periods of time. Travel up to 10%

Location: This position is Hybrid in Alameda, CA (onsite 3 days per week). Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda.

Benefits:

  • Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave
  • Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching.
  • Company sponsored life insurance
  • Stock Options
  • Annual stipend for continued learning and development
  • Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!)
  • Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card
  • Plenty of snacks in our 3 office locations
  • Dog-friendly work environment

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $189,000-$243,000 annually.

Catch up on the latest news about us:

The British Engineer Behind the US Navy’s High-tech Ocean Drones – The Times of London

Denmark to Field Unmanned Vessels for Monitoring Busy Shipping Routes – Defense News

Counter-drug Sea Drones Utilized by Navy as Trump Ramps Up Military Resources at the Border

Saildrone, Palantir Partner to Use AI to Streamline USV Manufacturing, Operations – Breaking Defense

An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle

USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings

TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone

Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.

All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

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