Director of Contracting

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.

Saildrone is seeking a Director of Contracting to join our Business Development Team. Reporting directly to the VP of Business Development, you will play a critical role in negotiating and executing contracts and other agreements with US Government, Commercial and International customers and will be responsible for managing Saildrone’s relationships with customer procurement authorities. We are looking for an experienced, skilled individual who has a relentless energy to get things done and a proven track record of working within a fast-paced environment.

Saildrone’s Business Development team is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing government and commercial partnerships for Saildrone’s autonomous maritime capabilities. We work closely across the defense sector to deliver scalable ocean mapping, maritime domain awareness, and force projection solutions that power national security. Operating in close partnership with Product, Engineering, and Mission Operations teams, we translate complex DoD and Navy requirements into successful missions that perform in demanding real-world environments.

• Oversee the end-to-end management and design of execution processes for commercial and Federal agreements, from initial draft through to final signing.
• Lead the negotiation and execution of a diverse portfolio of agreements, including subcontracting, teaming, consortium, and contract modifications with International, Commercial, and US Government clients.
• Cultivate and manage Saildrone’s strategic relationships with customer procurement authorities across all organizational levels, utilizing existing connections with stakeholders and contracting officers to aid the Sales team in capturing new opportunities.
• Partner with the Proposals team to provide critical support in reviewing and structuring bids, solicitations, and formal proposals.
• Collaborate closely with the VP of Business Development and Head of Legal to evaluate proposals and contracts for alignment with internal policies and applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations, while building out robust compliance initiatives for our expanding operations.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication and alignment with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Program Managers, and Account Executives to deeply understand customer delivery models and ensure seamless handover of closed business for operational kickoff.
• Administer official contracts databases, maintain accurate Federal registrations, and establish clear best practices for executing commercial activities via Saildrone’s GSA schedule.

Required skills and experience

• 10-15 years of hands-on experience in negotiating and executing contracts with and managing relationships with United States Government, Commercial and International customers.

• Successful experience submitting and negotiating complex proposals and contracts, including:

  • Competitive and sole source.
  • Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursable.
  • USG, Foreign and Commercial.
  • Multiple USG Agencies and contractual vehicles (GSA, IDIQ, BPA, OTA, FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 15).
  • Hardware production and service provision.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET / SCI security…