Vehicle Assembly and Service Technician

THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking a Vehicle Assembly & Service Technician to join our Vehicle Assembly and Service team. Reporting to the Vehicle Operations Manager, you will collaborate with a variety of teams in engineering, operations, and production. You will interact with clients and lead teams, both in the shop and around the world, to execute assembly and service operations. You will help turn in-field realities into product improvements, serving as an important link between our end users and the teams at Saildrone who design our products. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader who sets high standards, thrives in demanding field environments, and translates heavy industrial and marine experience into mission success.

THE TEAM

Saildrone's autonomous surface vehicles operate for unprecedented periods of time in the most unforgiving environments on the planet. From inside of hurricanes to the frigid waters of the Arctic, the stresses they endure are immense. The technical execution of preparing the vehicles for their mission and servicing their constituent parts must be performed with a high degree of skill and consistency. The Vehicle Assembly & Service Team is responsible for constructing and servicing Saildrone vehicles as well as training and leading others to do the same.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fleet Assembly & Service: Lead the assembly and service workflows for the Saildrone vehicle fleet, ensuring all drones are fully mission-capable and optimized for maximum operational uptime.
• Technical Execution: Apply fundamentally sound mechanical and electrical skills to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment in a challenging field environment.
• Global Field Operations: Travel domestically and internationally to execute the deployment, recovery, and repair of Saildrone vehicles.
• External Training & Mentorship: Lead the technical development of the team and train contractors, clients, and other third parties on complex technical procedures, including vehicle assembly and servicing.
• Professional Representation: Act as a brand ambassador for Saildrone, maintaining high levels of self-awareness and professionalism during all interactions with clients and internal colleagues.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively assess current workflows, in-field assembly procedures, and vehicle designs to provide feedback that increases safety, consistency, and overall efficiency.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 or more years of experience executing operations involving the application of fundamentally sound electrical and mechanical skills while performing a technical service role in a field, shipyard, or heavy industrial environment; must be able to follow service instructions/diagrams and use tools ranging from basic hand tools to heavy equipment and rigging required.
• Ability to lead and work in teams, including third-party contractors, to execute operational plans and deliver on contractual obligations; must be able to simplify technical concepts and product knowledge to teach and coach end-users on vehicle assembly and service required.
• Strong organizational habits and a willingness to define, follow, and improve safety, process, and work standards while maintaining appropriate records and inventories required.
• U.S. Person Status and eligible for a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance; willingness to support 50% - 75% domestic and international travel required.
• Desire and ability to provide industry-defining customer service for both external customers and Saildrone colleagues required.
• Prior experience planning, leading, and performing technically complex operations in the field for a global OEM servicing the automotive, aerospace, shipyard, offshore oil and gas, heavy civil/mining, renewable energy, or telecommunications industries preferred.
• Experience in a fast-paced, start-up environment or an advanced serviceability / manufacturability of design role, with the ability to develop technical repair content to support global standardization and service documentation preferred.
• Ability to systematically isolate, diagnose, and repair issues on electro-mechanical systems in a marine environment preferred.
• Personal or professional experience on or near water, including familiarity with rigging, mooring, and basic boat handling principles preferred.
• Experience with heavy equipment loading, shipping preparation, offloading, and relocation. Proficiency in driving forklifts, lifting machines, and crane operation preferred.
• Experience driving 30+ ft twin-engine powerboats with vehicles in tow and general experience at sea preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally 50–75% of the time, which includes renting and operating motor vehicles.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform a full range of physical motions, including bending, crouching, stooping, crawling, kneeling, and reaching overhead in a shipyard or industrial setting.
• Proficiency in both fine manipulation and gross motor skills required to assemble, calibrate, and repair intricate electro-mechanical components.
• Able to pass a respirator fit test, wear a respirator and other specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended durations when required by safety protocols.
• Comfort working at heights, within confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures or weather conditions typical of maritime field operations.
• Maintained visual acuity to inspect technical assemblies and hearing/speaking capabilities to ensure clear, safe communication within a high-decibel or active work zone.
• Excellent physical balance and coordination to safely navigate docks, vessels, and uneven surfaces while handling equipment or tools.