Unmanned Surface Vehicle Pilot

About Us

With 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.

Saildrone Pilots are members of the Mission Control team ots work on a rotating watch schedule monitoring our USV’s 24/7/365. As a USV Pilot at Saildrone, you’ll manage the navigational safety and vehicle health of the Saildrone fleet. You’ll work with Mission Control, Technical Operations, and Fleet Service teams to ensure vehicles are able to execute their mission.

• Daily remote piloting of Saildrones around the globe, facilitating mission execution while ensuring vehicle safety
• Daily monitoring of vehicle navigational and payload status
  • Monitoring and managing drone system health and escalating issues when appropriate
  • Passage planning routes that are safe, efficient, and meet the mission requirements
  • Awareness and ability to safely navigate shipping lanes and ship traffic while maintaining reasonable CPAs
  • Maintaining situational awareness for any other issues at sea

• Monitoring of weather forecasts and ocean currents for navigational safety and efficiency for areas of vehicle operation
• Understanding of maritime weather systems and currents to assess potential impacts to operations

• Monitoring and contributing to day-to-day piloting communications in the customer-facing Saildrone Mission Portal
• Working with forward deployed teams to schedule and execute saildrone deployments and recoveries abroad
• Monitoring and answering the Saildrone Mission Control lines of communication in real time
• Participating in daily briefs and regular Team meetings
• Documenting milestones, issues, and notes that happen on your watch via mission logs and internal passdown documents

• 5 years of maritime command experience, advanced proficiency in sailing and sailing theory, and ocean crossings background, submit sailing resume in addition to professional resume.
• Detail-oriented with a disciplined approach to communications, processes, and projects
• Ability to ramp up quickly on technical subject matters
• Proficient with computers and technology
• Exceptional critical thinking skills and ability to adapt quickly to dynamic environments
• Strong verbal and written communication

• 8 hour workdays, with a four-day-on and four-day-off work cycle (50% weekends)
• Core hours M-F 07:00 to 16:00 EST - this role will require weekend shifts and odd hours worked
• Any weekend and odd hours can be done remotely
• This role will be hybrid: partially remote, partially at the Saildrone Office in Washington D.C.

A willingness to travel to conferences to represent Saildrone, and engage with potential customers and data specialists

This position is in Washington, D.C.

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.

Employees are eligible for sick time, accrued by hours worked.

The salary range for the role is $43.36-$56.34 per hour.

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, and relevant experience, among other factors.

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.