Sr. NPI Engineer

About Us

At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth, 24/7/365, and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel. Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas—from sailing into the eye of a category 4 hurricane to obtain new data about how storms intensify, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, and counting fish biomass to inform sustainable fishery management, to mapping the ocean floor and reducing illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As a result of our work, Saildrone has been included on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, earned an Ocean Awards’ Innovation Award, won Best Tech For Good from the Timmy Awards, and was recognized by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism 50 list of the Top 50 Companies Kickstarting American Renewal. Our first-annual Atlantic hurricane mission with NOAA was included as one of The New York Times’ 21 Things That Happened for the First Time in 2021 and Popular Science's 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.

We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, and Emerson Collective.

This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services and autonomous hardware. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary delivering high impact for humanity and future generations.

The Role

• Project Planning: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, to develop and execute a comprehensive project plan for new product introductions.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Evaluate product designs for manufacturability, identifying potential issues and making recommendations to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in the production process.
• Process Development: Develop and optimize manufacturing processes and procedures, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and meet quality standards. This may involve conducting feasibility studies, designing assembly and test processes, and implementing process improvements.
• Prototyping and Testing: Coordinate and oversee the production of prototype units, ensuring they meet design specifications and performance requirements. Conduct thorough testing and analysis to identify any design or manufacturing issues and propose corrective actions.
• Supply Chain Management: Work closely with the supply chain team to ensure the timely availability of required materials, components, and equipment for production. Collaborate on supplier selection, qualification, and management to ensure a reliable and efficient supply chain.
• Production Ramp-up: Lead the transition from pilot production to full-scale manufacturing, managing the ramp-up process to meet production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules. Identify and resolve any production issues or bottlenecks.
• Documentation and Reporting: Create and maintain detailed documentation, including manufacturing instructions, work procedures, process specifications, and reports. Provide regular status updates and progress reports to stakeholders, highlighting key milestones, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Required skills and experience

• Experience in a fast paced, iterative design environment within marine, automotive, aerospace or similar industries
• Very comfortable with assembly structures, composites and weldments. Strong understanding of basic manufacturing processes (Welding, CNC machining, bolted joints, bonding, sheet metal work etc.) as well as their individual strengths/weaknesses
• Experience planning and executing on engineering builds
• Experience with PLM and CAD systems (preferably Teamcenter and NX)
• Ability to create/ check engineering drawings and BOMs
• Lead the coordination and execution of the new product introduction process, ensuring smooth transition from design to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, manufacturing engineers, procurement, and quality assurance, to define and implement the NPI strategy.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, and budgets for successful product launches.
• Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments to identify potential issues and develop mitigation plans.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Collaborate with engineers, internal build teams and suppliers to ensure timely availability of materials, components, and equipment for engineering builds
• Provide technical guidance and support to manufacturing teams, troubleshooting issues and implementing corrective actions.

Desired skills and experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related field.
• Proven experience in new product introduction, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control principles, and product lifecycle management.
• Proficiency in using project management tools and software.
• Experience tracking workflow and issues with Jira
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and standards related to product manufacturing and quality.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda. Even our walls have good karma, our offices mix software development with a hardware production line in the former airplane hangar used to film 'The Matrix'.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents.
• Short and relaxing ferry ride from the Ferry Building for SF residents
• Enhanced Parental Leave Programs
• Competitive benefits including excellent medical, life insurance, 401k plan

Catch up on the latest news about us:

The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea – The New York Times

Saildrone Takes the Wraps Off its Voyager Autonomous Research Vehicle – TechCrunch

An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle

The Quest for CO2: You Can’t Capture What You Can’t Find – Inside Unmanned Systems

Hacking the Anthropocene with Survivalist Robots [VIDEO] – Freethink

Here’s What Hurricane Fiona’s Surf Looked Like, from Atop a 50-foot Wave – The Washington Post

An Unprecedented View Inside a Hurricane – EOS

Meet the sailing robots trying to solve climate change – The Hill

They Sailed Into a Hurricane, Now These Unmanned Saildrones are Seeking Data on Our Carbon Uptake – CNN

Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors

Individuals who require employer sponsorship to remain employed in the United States now or in the future will not be considered for hire for certain positions.

Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

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