Maritime Intelligence Watch Floor Leader

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 a Maritime Intelligence Watch Floor Leader to join our Mission Delivery team. You will play a critical role in the full operational performance, supervision, and mission effectiveness of a 24/7 maritime intelligence watch floor. We are looking for a skilled leader who creates clarity from ambiguity, drives execution in a fast-paced environment, and can lead a team of analysts and ISR experts to support national security and maritime domain awareness.

THE TEAM

The Operational Intelligence function is responsible for the ingestion, fusion, analysis, and dissemination of maritime ISR data collected from autonomous systems and other intelligence sources. We are focused on delivering timely, maritime intelligence products to government customers, operating in a national security and defense environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct and oversee daily watch floor operations to ensure continuous ingestion, processing, and synthesis of received data and maintain full functionality of workflows. Be accountable for the synthesis of multi-source maritime data into ISR products, ensuring analytic rigor, accuracy, and relevance while enforcing quality control standards. Work closely with ISR product leads to diagnose technical issues and architect future solution improvements to enhance data fusion and ISR production. Serve as the senior on-floor decision authority during operational periods, leading the response to time-sensitive maritime events or anomalies and ensuring rapid dissemination of high-priority ISR. Coordinate with engineering and technical teams to resolve system performance issues and identify process improvement opportunities. Provide timely updates and intelligence assessments to customers, serving as the primary operational interface to translate requirements into actionable tasks and facilitate customer training. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and conduct after-action reviews to refine procedures and mitigate risks or blockers. Build out the team for 24/7 coverage, conduct performance evaluations, and foster a high-performance, mission-focused team culture.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in intelligence studies, maritime operations, defense, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in intelligence operations, ISR, or maritime domain awareness, performing work related to mission-critical operations. Min of 5+ years in leadership positions. Demonstrated proficiency in leading operational teams within a 24/7 watch floor, command center, or mission operations environment. Proven ability to analyze complex issues and make decisions regarding intelligence findings in situations involving ambiguity or time pressure. Ability to clearly communicate intelligence assessments and operational status updates to peers, managers, and government or defense customers. Working knowledge of ISR workflows, maritime intelligence operations, and operational escalation procedures. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance, as required for national security business reasons.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to support a 24/7 operational environment, which may include working varied shifts (day, night, or weekend) as required by the mission. Willing to travel up to 20% travel for customer site visits. 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

$120,000—$160,000 USD

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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.