Fleet Service Manager – Middle East

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, an established European entity supporting regional business development, sales, and operations, and a deployment hub in 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.

THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking a Fleet Service Manager to lead fleet service operations across assigned regions, teams, or assets. This role is responsible for coordinating personnel, planning service activities, and maintaining operational readiness across a globally deployed fleet. You will bridge long-term resource planning with day-to-day field execution, ensuring technicians have the support, tools, and direction needed to keep Saildrone vehicles mission-ready.

We are looking for an operations leader who brings structure to complex, fast-moving environments, uses data to drive decisions, and takes ownership of improving fleet service performance. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable leading distributed teams, providing technical guidance, and partnering across the organization to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.

THE TEAM

Fleet Operations is responsible for maintaining the readiness, reliability, and serviceability of Saildrone's autonomous vehicle fleet. The team coordinates maintenance, repairs, personnel, and field support across active deployments and operational sites.

Working closely with technicians and partners across engineering, logistics, quality, safety, and program management, the team focuses on delivering consistent service standards, improving operational processes, and ensuring deployed assets receive the support they need.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

- Lead fleet service operations: Oversee technician teams and field service activities across assigned regions or fleets, establishing consistent processes and maintaining operational readiness.

- Manage personnel and resource planning: Coordinate technician and contractor schedules, travel, and labor allocation to support deployments, service demands, and upcoming projects.

- Own fleet maintenance systems and reporting: Drive effective use of Fleetio, including service programs, work orders, parts and inventory tracking, and reporting. Leverage tools such as NetSuite, Harvest, Jira, and Confluence to support labor, cost, and operational tracking.

- Oversee work order execution: Lead work order creation, review, and follow-through, ensuring accurate resource allocation, quality control, and completion of required administrative tasks.

- Provide technical leadership and field support: Serve as a primary remote resource for technicians, guiding complex troubleshooting, supporting new technical tasks, and making operational decisions during field disruptions when an on-site lead is unavailable.

- Establish operational standards: Develop and maintain SOPs, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and other operational documentation. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen safety, quality, efficiency, and consistency across field operations.

- Develop technician capabilities: Build and refine training programs, mentor Level 3 and Level 4 technicians, and support their development into effective field leaders and managers.

- Drive cross-functional execution: Partner with engineering, program management, logistics, quality, safety, and other teams to improve systems integration, resolve operational challenges, and coordinate administrative processes, including ADP, travel, document tracking, Quality Events (QEs), and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).

- Monitor performance and maintain accountability: Conduct regular technician check-ins, field audits, and site reviews to assess schedule execution, labor efficiency, quality, and safety. Communicate risks, resource needs, and operational updates to relevant stakeholders.

- Support field sites and deployments: Travel to operational sites to provide leadership, training, planning support, and additional personnel coverage as needed.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

- 4+ years of experience overseeing fleet level vessel maintenance and repairs, marine service operations, technical project management, or remote field service leadership.

- Hands-on experience with fleet maintenance systems, such as Fleetio, including work order management, parts and inventory tracking, and preventive maintenance scheduling.

- Experience coordinating personnel, contractor resources, labor allocation, and travel across distributed teams or field operations.

- Demonstrated ability to provide technical troubleshooting and diagnostic support for mechanical, electrical, or software systems in remote environments.

- Experience developing technical documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs).

- Proficiency with administrative and operational tools, including time and attendance systems (e.g., ADP), and experience with document and workflow management.

- Ability to collaborate effectively with hardware engineering, software/API engineering, program management, and other cross-functional stakeholders.

- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to independently manage competing priorities and make timely decisions in a distributed environment.

- Ability to travel to support field teams, deployments, and operational reviews. Travel requirements vary by work location: approximately 25% for Abu Dhabi-based employees and 50–75% for US-based remote employees.

- Flexibility to maintain availability for critical field decisions and operational support as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

- Physical Strength & Agility: Ability to lift/move up to 30 lbs. and maintain physical activity (bending, kneeling, standing) throughout a full shift.

- Manual Precision: High manual dexterity and visual acuity for the safe operation of power tools and precision assembly and repairs.

- Environmental Adaptability: Comfortable working in challenging settings, including confined spaces, heights, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions including high heat, cold, and wind.

- Safety & PPE: Ability to work around industrial materials and sites while strictly adhering to PPE requirements, including respirators and eye/ear protection as needed.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally, which includes renting and operating motor vehicles, and possibly relocation to the Middle East.

Saildrone offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits tailored to each global region. Please note that specific benefits listed above may vary or be adapted for roles based in Abu Dhabi, UAE in accordance with local labor standards and Abu Dhabi, UAE market practices.

To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy-policy .

BENEFITS

At Saildrone, we’re building operational capability that matters—and that requires people who can do their best work over the long term. We invest in our team’s well-being, financial security, and professional growth so you can focus on delivering real-world impact with confidence and stability. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you and your family while you contribute to a mission with lasting significance.

- Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time.

- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.

- Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long-term value you help create through meaningful, operational work.

- Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.

- Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field.

- Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.

Saildrone is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.