Robotics, Maritime, Defense & Space, Environmental Services, Software

Technical Recruiter

Alameda, CAOnsiteFull Time$130,500–$153,500 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

Greenhouse
LinkedIn Recruiter
startup experience
engineering roles
hardware
manufacturing
production
field engineering
product development
Google Suite

Nice to have

HRIS tools
ADP Workforce Now
generative AI tools
Gemini
Claude

Role summary

Saildrone is seeking a Recruiter to join their People team, focusing on sourcing, attracting, and engaging top technical and professional talent. The role involves collaborating with hiring managers, screening candidates, managing the recruitment lifecycle, and ensuring a positive candidate experience. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of in-house recruiting experience, particularly in startups and for engineering roles, with proficiency in ATS like Greenhouse and sourcing tools like LinkedIn Recruiter. Experience with generative AI tools and HR regulatory compliance is preferred. This hybrid role offers a salary range of $130,500 - $153,500 USD.

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 Technical Recruiter to join our People team. You will play a critical role in sourcing, attracting, and engaging top talent across technical and professional disciplines to meet current and future hiring needs. We are looking for a skilled recruiter and systems thinker who creates clarity from ambiguity, drives execution in a fast-paced environment, and builds strong candidate relationships to ensure Saildrone attracts, hires, and retains high-performing talent.

THE TEAM

The People team is responsible for scaling Saildrone's global team and driving end-to-end talent acquisition. We are focused on identifying, attracting, and hiring top-tier technical and operational talent to support mission-critical goals in a national security and defense environment.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Collaborate closely with hiring managers across all departments to understand staffing needs and job specifications.

Proactively source, attract, and engage candidates using various channels, including AI-assisted talent discovery platforms, social media, employee referrals, and specialized talent pools.

Screen candidate resumes, applications, and qualifications in partnership with hiring teams.

Conduct initial screenings and interviews to assess candidate capabilities, experience, and cultural fit.

Schedule and coordinate manager interviews while managing all candidate communication throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

Track candidate feedback, status, and recruiting metrics accurately within our ATS (Greenhouse), maintaining strict data hygiene and unwavering process adherence.

Champion and refine recruiting workflows, acting as a systems thinker who can independently follow, execute, and continuously improve defined processes with minimal instruction.

Deliver a positive, high-touch candidate experience through timely feedback, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through.

Promote and represent Saildrone’s employer brand using modern generative AI tools to craft personalized, compelling outreach that positions the company as a top place to work.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience.

3+ years of in-house recruiting experience, with startup experience required.

Demonstrated proficiency sourcing for engineering roles, including hardware (mechanical, electrical, firmware), manufacturing, production, field engineering, product development, and operations.

Hands-on experience with applicant tracking systems (Greenhouse preferred) and sourcing platforms like LinkedIn Recruiter.

Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and exposure to HRIS tools (ADP Workforce Now a plus), alongside an active interest in leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini, Claude) to accelerate routine workflows.

Demonstrated operational rigor and systems thinking, with a proven ability to manage processes independently and flawlessly.

Working knowledge of equal employment opportunity (EEO) standards and core HR regulatory requirements.

Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated experience partnering across complex cross-functional teams.

The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.

Salary Range$130,500—$153,500 USD

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.

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