About UsSaildrone builds autonomous systems that dominate the world’s oceansWith more than 2 million nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone has earned the trust of governments worldwide. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deliver continuous, real-time intelligence in the toughest oceans on Earth—giving our partners faster awareness, stronger security, and a decisive edge at sea.Our USVs are long-range, extreme-endurance platforms powered by advanced sensors and proprietary AI - they have been designed to operate where no crewed vessel can. They collect critical insights above and below the surface to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection.Headquartered in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington, DC, and global deployment hubs, Saildrone operates missions worldwide. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and defense technology—where data turns into intelligence, and intelligence drives action. The RoleAs a Production Assembly Technician at our company, you will play a vital role in assembling and rebuilding subsystems for our ocean-going vehicles. These subsystems include cameras, actuators, and battery systems. Your responsibilities will encompass a range of tasks, including soldering, harness assembly, mechanical assembly, and testing. Whether you're working on a one-off prototype or a production batch, your attention to detail and commitment to quality will be essential. You'll need to interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and work instructions accurately while maintaining a well-organized workspace. Collaboration and problem-solving will be key as you work alongside our Production Team to build innovative and high-quality products. Responsibilities <ul><li>Work on new products with limited formal work instructions</li><li>Builds critically, ultimately being able to recognize when to stop and ask questions by drawing on previous experience</li><li>Contribute to fitting, building, or reconstructing various parts within required timelines.</li><li>Maintains high-quality of work at all times, prioritizing attention to detail above all else</li><li>Is able to interpret and follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and work instructions</li><li>Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy work environment in adherence to company policies.</li><li>Update and maintain records of test results and inspection procedures.</li><li>Actively contribute ideas for process improvement to enhance quality and production efficiency.</li><li>Monitor and maintain equipment to ensure proper functioning.</li><li>Trains other technicians on basic tasks and assemblies</li><li>Foresees production problems ahead of time, ie: calling out low inventory items, suggesting new tools/jigs, flagging issues seen during assembly</li></ul> Desired Experience Level<ul><li>2-4 years work experience in a production assembly environment</li><li>Has experience in one or more of the following areas:<ul><li>Assembling of electro-mechanical assemblies</li><li>Testing sub-assemblies</li><li>PCBA work: hand solder / repair</li><li>Harnesses assembly</li><li>Metal fabrication (e.g. mill/lathe)</li></ul></li><li>Works comfortably and with good speed and quality in electro-mechanical assemblies</li><li>Ideally completion of formal certification in electronics or engineering, typically industry apprenticeship, AA degree, or Bachelor’s degree</li><li>Strong communication skills</li><li>Working onsite in our Alameda HQ, 5-days per week.</li></ul> Physical Requirements<ul><li>Ability to stand for extended periods of up to 8 hours per shift.</li><li>Capable of lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 40 pounds.</li><li>Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.</li><li>Ability to perform repetitive tasks with attention to detail.</li><li>Comfortable working in various environmental conditions, including noise and moderate temperature changes.</li><li>Ability to follow safety protocols and wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).</li></ul> Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda. 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. Benefits:<ul><li>Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave</li><li>Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching.</li><li>Company sponsored life insurance</li><li>Stock Options</li><li>Annual stipend for continued learning and development</li><li>Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!)</li><li>Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card</li></ul> <div><div>A reasonable estimate of the current range is $55,700-$87,100 annually.</div></div><div> </div> Catch up on the latest news about us:<a href="https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/the-british-engineer-behind-the-us-navys-high-tech-ocean-drones-vnr5lvhf7">The British Engineer Behind the US Navy’s High-tech Ocean Drones – The Times of London</a><a href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/05/08/denmark-to-field-unmanned-vessels-for-monitoring-busy-shipping-routes/">Denmark to Field Unmanned Vessels for Monitoring Busy Shipping Routes – Defense News</a><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/counter-drug-sea-drones-utilized-navy-trump-ramps-up-military-resources-border">Counter-drug Sea Drones Utilized by Navy as Trump Ramps Up Military Resources at the Border</a><a href="https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/saildrone-palantir-partner-to-use-ai-to-streamline-usv-manufacturing-operations/">Saildrone, Palantir Partner to Use AI to Streamline USV Manufacturing, Operations – Breaking Defense</a><a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/underwater-mountain-california-alaska-17852430.php?utm_source=marketing&amp;utm_medium=copy-url-link&amp;utm_campaign=article-share&amp;hash=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2ZjaHJvbmljbGUuY29tL2NsaW1hdGUvYXJ0aWNsZS91bmRlcndhdGVyLW1vdW50YWluLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtYWxhc2thLTE3ODUyNDMwLnBocA==&amp;time=MTY4Mzg0MjA4OTIzNQ==&amp;rid=YWRjMTllMzgtYzkzNi00OGQ2LTljMzgtMTQ2OGNlMThiZWY4&amp;sharecount=MQ==">An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle</a><a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2023/august/usvs-could-deter-iuu-fishing">USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings</a><a href="https://time.com/6978988/saildrone/">TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNeAwBccKamrUbEQxoygLQ">Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist</a> 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.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. #LI-Onsite#LI-LP1

Saildrone designs and manufactures wind and solar powered autonomous surface vehicles called Saildrones, which make cost-effective ocean data collection possible at scale. We are working with governments, civic agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas - be it in mapping out the ocean floor, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, counting biomass to establish fishing quotas, or detecting and stopping illegal fishing and trafficking. We believe that better inputs in planetary models in turn yield better outputs and that the new insights gained in weather forecasting, carbon cycling, global fishing and climate change will have tremendous impact on humanity. We are based in Alameda, CA.

Production Technician

About the Job

About the Company

Saildrone

Similar Jobs