Head of Software

About Us

Saildrone builds autonomous systems that dominate the world’s oceans. 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 are 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 Role

The Head of Software will lead Saildrone’s software engineering organization, overseeing all our software efforts from actuator control to image processing to cloud data pipelines. Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, this role will provide operational leadership to Saildrone’s software teams and ensure that all software systems are delivered reliably, securely, and at scale.

This is a critical senior leadership position responsible for executing the Strategic Software Vision set by the Head of Engineering and CEO, translating it into actionable plans, defining requirements, and driving projects to successful completion. The Head of Software will partner closely with other engineering and organization leaders to ensure seamless integration across hardware, firmware, and systems while delivering to the highest standards of quality, timeliness, and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading large software teams in a fast‑paced, high‑growth technology environment, ideally within the autonomous systems, defense, aerospace, or maritime sectors. They must be a hands‑on leader capable of balancing execution with technical oversight, while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and disciplined delivery.

Responsibilities

• Software Leadership
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams across Infrastructure, Cloud, Onboard Vehicle Software, Data, and Perception/ML.
- Execute the software strategic vision set by the CEO, aligning priorities with Saildrone’s mission and business objectives.
- Drive secure, high‑quality engineering practices across all software domains.

• Program & Project Delivery
- Oversee the planning, prioritization, and execution of software deliverables, ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope.
- Define timelines and milestones in coordination with Technical Program Management, ensuring effective resource allocation and risk mitigation.
- Implement best practices for agile software development, quality assurance, and release management.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Hardware, Firmware, and Systems Engineering teams to ensure robust end‑to‑end system integration.
- Collaborate with Mission and Business Development teams to ensure software capabilities meet operational and customer requirements.
- Work with Security, Legal, and Compliance teams to ensure adherence to defense, regulatory, and export control standards.

• Talent Development & Team Building
- Recruit, retain, and develop world‑class software engineering talent.
- Foster a culture of performance, accountability, security‑first thinking, and continuous improvement.
- Mentor software managers and technical leads to grow leadership capability within the organization.

• Operational Excellence
- Manage software budgets, resources, and performance metrics in coordination with the Head of Engineering.
- Ensure scalable infrastructure and reliable software deployment pipelines for global operations.
- Oversee software testing, validation, and compliance with mission‑critical requirements.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer…