Facilities Maintenance Specialist

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 Facilities Maintenance Specialist to join our Facilities team. Reporting to the Director of Facilities, you will play a critical role in maintaining uptime across our Alameda HQ by ensuring facility systems, manufacturing equipment, and material handling assets operate reliably and safely, minimizing disruption to production and R&D. We are looking for a skilled, hands‑on operator who takes ownership of the physical workspace, moves quickly to resolve issues, and consistently drives execution in a dynamic, hardware‑focused environment.

The Facilities team is responsible for maintaining and improving Saildrone’s physical infrastructure, equipment, and work environment. We support manufacturing, R&D, and corporate operations by delivering safe, reliable, and scalable facility systems. Our work enables continuous operation of mission‑critical systems in a fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environment.

• Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on facility infrastructure and specialized equipment—including forklifts, boom lifts, boat lifts, pumps, and compressors—to ensure high uptime and operational continuity.
• Be accountable for the inbound facilities request system, including triaging and executing tasks ranging from minor electrical and plumbing repairs to carpentry, patching, and painting.
• Work closely with the Director of Facilities and cross‑functional teams to align on task prioritization, event setups (all‑hands meetings), and workspace improvements.
• Carry out day‑to‑day maintenance of office and shop environments, including furniture assembly, equipment installation, and stocking essential supplies (filters, ergonomic equipment, and office consumables).
• Monitor for infrastructure risks or equipment failures, take immediate corrective action, and elevate to management when system thresholds or safety constraints are exceeded.
• Adhere to and contribute to safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), ensuring a compliant and high‑standard work environment.
• Coordinate and oversee work performed by external service providers, ensuring janitorial, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and data cabling vendors meet Saildrone’s quality and timing standards.

• Trade certification, license, or formal apprenticeship in electrical, mechanical, or a related field is highly preferred for safety and business continuity.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing and/or R&D environment, performing high‑level facility and equipment maintenance.
• Demonstrated proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing diverse systems including HVAC, plumbing, minor electrical, and heavy material handling equipment (forklifts, lifts, and transport vehicles).
• Proven ability to diagnose mechanical and electrical issues and make decisive repairs in a fast‑paced environment involving time pressure and production deadlines.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical status updates and project progress to managers, internal stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Ability to work effectively in manufacturing and shop environments, including the flexibility to manage after‑hours support or overtime when mission‑critical issues arise.
• Working knowledge of safety standards (LOTO, JHA Risk…