Head of Mission Execution

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 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.

Role

The Head of Mission Execution is a strategic leadership position responsible for overseeing the successful operational delivery of our USV‑powered customer missions globally. This role is pivotal for driving revenue and customer satisfaction by ensuring our fleet is maximized for performance, reliability, schedule attainment, and cost‑efficiency.

You will lead global, 24/7 operational teams to maintain, allocate, and execute customer missions. In collaboration with the Fleet Captains, who manage USV class types (Explorer, Voyager, Surveyor, and Spectre), you will plan and schedule missions and develop forward operating bases based on regional growth and specific customer needs. Supporting teams—Bridge, Service, Logistics, and Technical Engineering—provide navigation, maintenance, troubleshooting, spare parts, and logistical support across international locations, providing real‑time feedback to the supporting organizations within Saildrone for rapid response to mission uptime.

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is located in Alameda, California.

Responsibilities

• Maximize fleet performance and utilization:
Ensure peak operational control and maximize USV uptime to meet business objectives and growth targets.

• Optimize operational efficiency:
Right‑size the fleet and balance the costs of maintenance and operation, following standard commissioning procedures when introducing new USVs into the fleet.

• Drive mission and customer success:
Oversee mission execution, measured by USV performance, cost‑efficiency, and on‑schedule delivery, working directly with Customer Success and Account Managers.

• Develop global operational strategy:
Lead a 24/7 global team, including Fleet Captains who manage specific USV classes, to plan and schedule missions.

• Strategize logistical deployment:
Plan and develop forward operating bases based on regional growth and customer requirements, balancing costs with fleet readiness.

• Drive Safety Culture:
Establish and train the team based on standardized work and best operating practices, focused on a safety‑first mindset. Monitor, investigate, and report all incidents.

• Ensure Operational Excellence:
Manage organization through defined metrics and KPIs monitoring uptime, return to mission, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction.

Leadership & Team Management

• Crew development:
Build a cohesive and high‑performing crew, often from various nationalities, focused on mutual respect and a shared goal.

• Motivational skills:
Inspire a team under immense pressure, making unpopular but necessary decisions for overall success.

• Communication:
Excellent communication skills vital for coordinating the crew and ensuring precise teamwork.

Teams Reporting to the Head of Mission Execution

This position oversees a global team of specialists who ensure the operational success and reliability of our USV fleet.

Fleet Captains

• Mission Readiness:
Hold full operational command of the assigned USV fleet (Explorer, Voyager, Surveyor, and Spectre), guaranteeing vehicle availability for contracted missions.

• Mission Planning:
Collaborate with Program Managers on mission…