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Saildrone · 2 months ago

Head of Software

Alameda, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$201K/yr - $300K/yr

15+ years exp

Saildrone is a leader in unmanned surface vehicles, providing real-time intelligence for defense and maritime operations. The Head of Software will lead the software engineering organization, overseeing software efforts from actuator control to cloud data pipelines, ensuring reliable and secure software systems that support mission objectives.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Big DataDronesManufacturingMarine Technology

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

Qualification

Software engineering leadershipCloud architectureDistributed systemsCybersecurityAI/MLPerception softwareProduct growthTeam buildingLeadership skillsCommunication skills