Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and 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 an Account Manager, US Navy to own and grow relationships with U.S. Navy fleet customers operating Saildrone unmanned surface vessels (USV). This is a customer-facing business development and account growth role focused on ensuring Saildrone platforms continue delivering mission value, securing continued fleet adoption, and identifying opportunities to expand the use of Saildrone capabilities across existing and prospective Navy customers.
The Account Manager will serve as the primary relationship owner with assigned fleet customers, developing trusted relationships with operational leaders and end users and maintaining a clear understanding of their missions, priorities, challenges, and future requirements. A core measure of success will be turning successful operations into continued demand, follow-on procurements, expanded deployments, and new mission applications for Saildrone USVs.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to operate at the intersection of sales, business development, fleet operations, and product development, and who is energized by driving customer satisfaction.
THE TEAM
Saildrone’s Department of War (DoW) team builds and grows the relationships that put our autonomous maritime systems into the hands of the US Navy and allied fleets. We work directly alongside fleet operators, operational commanders, program offices, acquisition organizations, and Saildrone’s internal technical teams to identify mission needs, demonstrate operational value, expand adoption, and convert successful deployments into enduring programs and follow-on business.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a primary customer-facing representative and maintain trusted relationships with fleet leadership, operational staffs, and end users.
- Drive continued adoption and account growth by identifying opportunities for follow-on procurements, additional vehicles, longer-duration deployments, expanded geographic coverage, and new mission applications for Saildrone USVs.
- Develop and maintain account plans identifying key customers, mission priorities, funding opportunities, and pathways for business growth.
- Track account health, customer priorities, fleet feedback, growth opportunities, and potential risks, providing regular updates to Saildrone leadership and Business Development teams.
- Translate customer feedback and emerging requirements into clear, actionable input for Saildrone’s Program, Product, Engineering, and Business Development teams, ensuring the voice of the customer informs both near-term execution and future capability development.
- Support and lead fleet-facing engagements, demonstrations, exercises, meetings, and operational reviews, representing Saildrone as a knowledgeable, responsive, and mission-focused partner.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of experience working directly with US Navy fleet units, in an operational, business development, program support, or account management capacity.
- Deep familiarity with Navy fleet operations, operational chains of command, task organization, and the operational tempo of deployed units.
- Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships that lead to increased adoption, follow-on business, or expanded programs, particularly within the Department of War.
- Strong business development instincts, including the ability to identify customer needs, recognize growth opportunities, develop account strategies, and move opportunities from operational interest toward funded contracts.
- Ability to understand technical and operational feedback and translate it effectively between fleet operators, business teams, program managers, and engineers.
- Familiarity with unmanned or autonomous maritime systems is preferred; otherwise, demonstrated ability to quickly develop a strong technical understanding of complex defense technologies.
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment with regular travel to fleet locations.
- Active US Government security clearance (Secret or higher) desired, or the ability to obtain one.
Salary range: $150,000 – $180,000 USD
